How many official public holidays are there in Ireland?
From 2023, there are 10 observed public holiday dates in Ireland. St. Brigid’s Day (1 February) was added to the calendar to mark the patroness saint of Ireland. The additional public holiday will be commemorated on the first Monday of February each year unless the date falls on a Friday.
Are public holidays paid in Ireland?
Full-time employees are entitled to paid leave on public holidays in Ireland. If required to work, the employee must be given a substitute day of paid leave within a month or additional remuneration equal to one day’s work. Feel free to download Ireland’s 2025 Public Holidays.
Are public holidays on non-working days substituted?
If the public holiday falls on a non-working day in Ireland, the employee is still entitled to benefit from this. Employers may opt to award a substitute day or additional pay as compensation. It is not a legal requirement for the employer to provide the next non-working day as leave. (I.e. if the public holiday falls on a Sunday, it cannot be assumed that the Monday will be awarded as a substitute day off).
What happens if an employee is sick or on leave on a public holiday?
Employees in Ireland are entitled to benefit from the right to public holidays. If an employee is on sick leave during a public holiday, they will be awarded normal pay on this day, or an additional substitute day upon their return to work. This right does not extend to employees on long-term leave for more than 26 weeks. Employees on maternity, paternity or parental leave are also entitled to paid leave on public holidays.
2024 Public Holiday Dates
- New Year’s Day: January 1st
- St. Brigid’s Day: February 5th
- St. Patrick’s Day: March 18th
- Easter Monday: April 1st
- May Day: May 6th
- June Bank Holiday: June 3rd
- August Bank Holiday: August 5th
- October Bank Holiday: October 28th
- Christmas Day: December 25th
- St. Stephen’s Day: December 26th
Note: Good Friday is not a public holiday in Ireland.
2025 Public Holiday Dates
- New Year’s Day: January 1st
- St. Brigid’s Day: February 3rd
- St. Patrick’s Day: March 17th
- Easter Monday: April 21st
- May Day: May 5th
- June Bank Holiday: June 2nd
- August Bank Holiday: August 4th
- October Bank Holiday: October 27th
- Christmas Day: December 25th
- St. Stephen’s Day: December 26th
