Public Holidays In The Republic Of Ireland
These are the public holidays observed in Ireland. Public holidays in Ireland (as in other countries) may commemorate a special day or other event, such as Saint Patrick's Day or Christmas Day. On public holidays (sometimes also referred to as bank holidays - a colloquialism), most businesses and schools close. Other services, for example, public transport, still operate but often with reduced schedules.
The nine public holidays in Ireland each year are as follows:
| Date | English Name | Irish Name | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 January | New Year's Day | Lá Caille or Lá Bliana Nua |
Most also take time off work for New Year's Eve (Oíche Chinn Bliana). |
| 17 March | Saint Patrick's Day | Lá Fhéile Pádraig | National day. First became an official public holiday in Ireland in 1903. |
| Moveable Monday | Easter Monday | Luan Cásca | The day after Easter Sunday (Domhnach Cásca) – also coincides with the commemoration of the Easter Rising. Good Friday (Aoine an Chéasta) is not a public holiday, though all state schools and some businesses close. |
| Moveable Monday | May Day | Lá Bealtaine | The first Monday in May. First observed in 1994. |
| Moveable Monday | June Holiday | Lá Saoire i mí Mheitheamh | The first Monday in June. Previously observed as Whit Monday until 1973. |
| Moveable Monday | August Holiday | Lá Saoire i mí Lúnasa | The first Monday in August. |
| Moveable Monday | October Holiday | Lá Saoire i mí Dheireadh Fómhair | The last Monday in October. (Lá Saoire Oíche Shamhna). First observed in 1977. |
| 25 December | Christmas Day | Lá Nollag | Most start Christmas celebrations on Christmas Eve (Oíche Nollag), including taking time off work. |
| 26 December | St. Stephen's Day | Lá Fhéile Stiofáin or Lá an Dreoilín | The day after Christmas celebrating the feast day of Saint Stephen. Lá an Dreoilín translates as the Day of the Wren. |
Read more about Public Holidays In The Republic Of Ireland: History
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