Academic Term - Ireland, Republic Of

Ireland, Republic Of

The primary school year runs from the beginning of September until the end of June. There are breaks for Christmas and Easter and two mid-term breaks at the end of October and mid-February. Secondary schools run from September to the end of May, but due to the Junior Certificate and Leaving Certificate exams, 3rd and 6th years respectively break at the end of June for summer holidays upon completion of the exams which end in the 3rd week of June. The academic year for state schools lasts for a minimum of 167 teaching days in secondary schools and 183 days in primary schools. Third-level institutions run a much shorter calendar, generally from mid to late September, sometimes early October, to December for their first semester. The second semester usually runs from January to mid- or late May with a break for Easter of up to a month.