Ireland (IE)
Ireland is a parliamentary republic and island nation on the western edge of Europe — the only English-speaking country in the Eurozone — celebrated for its warmly welcoming culture and legendary pub life, dramatic Wild Atlantic Way coastline and emerald green rolling countryside, a remarkable literary tradition from Joyce to Beckett, and its role as the European headquarters for the world's leading technology companies including Google, Apple, Meta, Microsoft, and LinkedIn.
Capital: Dublin
Region: Europe
Language: English
Currency: EUR (€)
Cost of living: Expensive (index 80)
Emergency: 112
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Public Holidays 2026
10 holidays in Ireland. Some may vary by region.
January 2026
Thu 1
New Year's Day Public Holiday
Lá Caille
First day of the year. Banks, most businesses, and public services closed.
February 2026
Mon 2
St Brigid's Day Public Holiday
Lá Fhéile Bríde
New public holiday introduced in 2023 to mark the start of spring and honour Saint Brigid (also associated with the pagan goddess of the same name). Falls on the first Monday in February — in 2026 this is 2 February. First new Irish public holiday in decades.
March 2026
Tue 17
St Patrick's Day Public Holiday
Lá Fhéile Pádraig
Ireland's national holiday celebrating the patron saint. Major parades in Dublin and across the country. Globally celebrated by the Irish diaspora. Everything closes except pubs and restaurants. The quintessential Irish cultural event.
April 2026
Mon 6
Easter Monday Public Holiday
Luan Cásca
The day after Easter Sunday. Public holiday throughout Ireland. 2026 Easter Monday falls on 6 April. Also commemorates the 1916 Easter Rising which began on Easter Monday.
May 2026
Mon 4
May Bank Holiday Public Holiday
Lá Saoire Bealtaine
First Monday in May — 4 May in 2026. Marks the beginning of summer. Public parks and recreational areas tend to be busy.
June 2026
Mon 1
June Bank Holiday Public Holiday
Lá Saoire Meitheamh
First Monday in June — 1 June in 2026. Informal start of the Irish summer; many events and festivals coincide.
August 2026
Mon 3
August Bank Holiday Public Holiday
Lá Saoire Lúnasa
First Monday in August — 3 August in 2026. Traditionally the main summer bank holiday; Galway Races week and many festivals occur around this time.
October 2026
Mon 26
October Bank Holiday Public Holiday
Lá Saoire Deireadh Fómhair
Last Monday in October — 26 October in 2026. Irish school mid-term break week. Halloween (31 October) is an originally Irish festival (from the Celtic Samhain) and widely celebrated, though not a public holiday.
December 2026
Fri 25
Christmas Day Public Holiday
Lá Nollaig
Christmas Day. Family celebration day. Almost everything is closed. Midnight Mass is still widely attended in many parts of Ireland.
Sat 26
St Stephen's Day Public Holiday
Lá Fhéile Stiofáin
The day after Christmas (also known as Boxing Day). Public holiday throughout Ireland. Horse racing at Leopardstown is a St Stephen's Day tradition, as is the Wren Boys / Wren Day tradition in parts of Munster and Connacht. Sales begin in most major shops.
Note: Some holidays in Ireland apply only to specific regions or states. Check local regulations for your area.