Few things feel better than spotting a long weekend on the horizon — and Ireland’s 2026 calendar is packed with Monday holidays ready to be stretched into proper breaks. With 10 public holidays including a rare St. Brigid’s Day on a Monday and Easter landing early in April, there’s plenty to plan around. This guide walks through every date, what the law says about pay, and how to turn six Monday bank holidays into your most efficient annual leave strategy yet.
Total bank holidays in Ireland in 2026: 10 ·
Bank holidays falling on a Monday: 6 ·
Easter Sunday 2026: 5 April ·
Saint Patrick’s Day 2026: 17 March (Tuesday) ·
First bank holiday of 2026: 1 January (New Year’s Day)
Quick snapshot
- 10 public holidays in 2026, per Ireland.com (official tourism guide)
- Six fall on a Monday, as confirmed by Group Accommodation (holiday planner)
- No extra bank holiday announced for 2026 (Danske Bank (banking schedule))
- Potential government addition of a once-off holiday (unlikely for 2026, no proposal yet) — Ireland.com (public holiday page)
- Local variations for Northern Ireland (not covered here) (Ireland.com (public holiday page))
- First bank holiday: 1 January 2026 (Thursday) — Ireland.com
- Last bank holiday: 26 December 2026 (Saturday) (Ireland.com)
- Prepare annual leave strategy around Monday-heavy calendar — Ireland Press Room (leave planning)
Six of the ten public holidays in 2026 land on a Monday, creating natural three-day weekends that can be extended with just a few days of annual leave. Here is the complete breakdown.
Before diving into dates, here is the key data at a glance.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Public Holidays | 10 |
| Monday Holidays | 6 |
| Easter Monday 2026 | 6 April |
| Saint Patrick’s Day 2026 | 17 March (Tuesday) |
| First Holiday | 1 January (New Year’s Day) |
| Extra Bank Holiday 2026? | No |
The implication: with six Monday holidays, planning leave around them becomes a powerful tool for maximizing time off.
How many bank holidays are there in Ireland in 2026?
Ireland has ten public holidays in 2026, according to Ireland.com (official tourism authority). That matches the standard statutory set: New Year’s Day, St. Brigid’s Day, St. Patrick’s Day, Easter Monday, May Day, June Bank Holiday, August Bank Holiday, October Bank Holiday, Christmas Day, and St. Stephen’s Day. Group Accommodation (holiday planning site) confirms the count.
Breakdown of the 10 public holidays
- New Year’s Day – 1 January (Thursday)
- St. Brigid’s Day – 2 February (Monday)
- St. Patrick’s Day – 17 March (Tuesday)
- Easter Monday – 6 April (Monday)
- May Day – 4 May (Monday)
- June Bank Holiday – 1 June (Monday)
- August Bank Holiday – 3 August (Monday)
- October Bank Holiday – 26 October (Monday)
- Christmas Day – 25 December (Friday)
- St. Stephen’s Day – 26 December (Saturday)
Months with multiple bank holidays
March has two holidays if you count St. Patrick’s Day (17th) and Easter Monday (6th) – though Easter Monday falls in April. Actually April also has Easter Monday. The most concentrated period is late March through early April, with St. Patrick’s Day and Easter Monday just three weeks apart.
Employees who book leave between 17 March and 6 April can create an extended break with minimal annual leave usage, because both bank holidays sit in adjacent pay periods.
The implication: six Monday holidays mean that taking just four days of annual leave around each one yields nine-day breaks. April and May are especially powerful because Easter Monday and May Day are only four weeks apart.
What are the dates of bank holidays in 2026?
All dates are fixed by law or by annual proclamation. Ireland.com (official tourism site) publishes the full list each year. Below is the month-by-month breakdown.
January – April
- 1 January – New Year’s Day (Thursday) – Source
- 2 February – St. Brigid’s Day (Monday)
- 17 March – St. Patrick’s Day (Tuesday)
- 6 April – Easter Monday (Monday)
May – August
- 4 May – May Day (Monday)
- 1 June – June Bank Holiday (Monday)
- 3 August – August Bank Holiday (Monday)
September – December
- 26 October – October Bank Holiday (Monday)
- 25 December – Christmas Day (Friday)
- 26 December – St. Stephen’s Day (Saturday)
Note that St. Stephen’s Day 2026 falls on a Saturday. Bank of Ireland UK (banking schedule) notes that when a public holiday lands on a weekend, the following Monday is usually given as a substitute in the banking world, though employment law treats it differently.
What are the Easter dates in 2026?
Easter 2026 falls relatively early. Ireland.com lists the key dates for the Easter period.
Palm Sunday, Good Friday, Easter Sunday, Easter Monday
- Palm Sunday – 29 March 2026
- Good Friday – 3 April 2026 (not a public holiday in the Republic of Ireland)
- Easter Sunday – 5 April 2026 – Source
- Easter Monday – 6 April 2026 (public holiday)
Good Friday is not a statutory public holiday in Ireland, though many businesses close and pubs traditionally stay shut. Ireland.com includes Good Friday in its broader holiday information but does not list it as a public holiday for the Republic.
The pattern: Easter Sunday on 5 April means Easter Monday is the earliest it can be (just after the spring equinox). That creates a very early spring bank holiday season, with St. Patrick’s Day on 17 March and Easter Monday on 6 April only 20 days apart.
Do you get double pay on bank holidays in Ireland?
Contrary to a common belief, there is no statutory requirement for double pay on public holidays in Ireland. Instead, the law gives employees one of four options, as outlined by Citizens Information (official government advice service):
- a paid day off on the public holiday
- an extra day of annual leave
- a public holiday payment (usually one day’s pay at the normal rate)
- a paid day off within a month of the holiday
What the law says about public holiday pay
The Organisation of Working Time Act 1997 governs public holiday entitlements. Employers decide which option to offer, unless the employment contract specifies otherwise. Bank of Ireland UK (banking policy) notes that public holidays are non‑settlement days for euro payments — but this does not affect employee pay rates.
Entitlement for full-time vs part-time workers
Part-time workers have pro‑rata entitlements. According to Citizens Information (government employment rights), an employee must have worked at least 40 hours in the five weeks before the holiday to qualify for public holiday benefits. Those who regularly work on the holiday may receive a different benefit.
Calculating premium pay rates
Some employment contracts voluntarily offer double time or time‑and‑a‑half for working on a public holiday. But that is a contractual perk, not a legal requirement. Danske Bank (corporate bank) clarifies that banks do not process payroll on public holidays, which can delay premium payments.
Workers who assume automatic double pay risk disappointment. The only guaranteed benefit is one of the four statutory options, not a premium rate. Check your contract or union agreement.
The trade‑off: employees who value time off over cash should ask their employer for the extra day of annual leave instead of the public holiday payment — especially in a Monday‑heavy year like 2026.
How to maximise annual leave in 2026 in Ireland?
With six Monday bank holidays, smart annual leave planning can yield extended breaks. Ireland Press Room (school term guide) notes that October mid‑term also offers opportunities for families.
Strategy: book around Monday holidays
Each Monday holiday creates a natural three‑day weekend (Saturday to Monday, or Friday to Monday if you take Friday off). To turn it into a nine‑day break, take four days of annual leave (the Tuesday through Friday after the holiday) or (the Monday through Thursday before). Example: August Bank Holiday on Monday 3 August — take leave Tuesday 4 through Friday 7 August, giving you from Saturday 25 July to Sunday 9 August off (using only 4 leave days).
Best periods to take leave to create long breaks
April and May are the standout seasons:
- Easter period (6 April Monday): Take 4 days (7–10 April) to get 9 days off (4–12 April).
- May Day (4 May Monday): Take 4 days (5–8 May) to get 9 days off (2–10 May).
- June Bank Holiday (1 June Monday): Same 4‑day trick gives 30 May – 7 June off.
- August Bank Holiday (3 August Monday): 4‑day block yields 1–9 August off.
- October Bank Holiday (26 October Monday): 4 days (27–30 Oct) gives 24 Oct – 1 Nov off.
Using the 2026 calendar to your advantage
If you also take leave for the Tuesday after St. Patrick’s Day (18 March), you link that Tuesday holiday with Easter Monday to create a 12‑day break using only 5 days of annual leave (18, 19, 20 March and 7, 8, 9, 10 April? Actually careful: St. Patrick’s Day is Tuesday 17 March, Easter Monday 6 April. Taking leave 18–20 March (3 days) and 7–10 April (4 days) gives you from Saturday 14 March to Sunday 12 April off — 30 days? No, that’s too many. Better to just combine the two Monday holidays. The key is to stack adjacent Monday holidays.
An employee with 10‑14 annual leave days can take all six Monday‑holiday blocks off by using roughly 24 days of leave (4 per block), which is typical for full‑time workers with 20‑25 days annual leave. That still leaves days for Christmas and personal time.
Timeline: Bank holidays in Ireland 2026
- – New Year’s Day (Thursday)
- – St. Brigid’s Day (Monday)
- – St. Patrick’s Day (Tuesday)
- – Easter Monday (Monday)
- – May Day (Monday)
- – June Bank Holiday (Monday)
- – August Bank Holiday (Monday)
- – October Bank Holiday (Monday)
- – Christmas Day (Friday)
- – St. Stephen’s Day (Saturday)
For those planning bank visits in Ireland, our separate guide to bank hours and holidays in 2026 provides detailed information on opening times alongside the full public holiday schedule.
Frequently asked questions about bank holidays Ireland 2026
What is St. Brigid’s Day and why is it a bank holiday?
St. Brigid’s Day (1 February) was made a public holiday in 2023, marking Ireland’s first new public holiday in over 100 years. In 2026 it is observed on Monday 2 February.
Is Good Friday a public holiday in Ireland?
No. Good Friday (3 April 2026) is not a statutory public holiday in the Republic of Ireland, though many businesses close voluntarily.
What happens if a bank holiday falls on a weekend?
Generally, the holiday is not moved for employment purposes. However, banks and many businesses observe the following Monday as a substitute. Check your contract for how your employer handles it.
Are bank holidays paid for part-time employees?
Yes, if the employee has worked at least 40 hours in the preceding five weeks. Entitlements are pro‑rata based on normal working hours.
How many bank holidays fall on a Friday in 2026?
Only one: Christmas Day (25 December). All other Monday holidays are on Mondays except New Year’s Day (Thursday), St. Patrick’s Day (Tuesday), and St. Stephen’s Day (Saturday).
Can my employer require me to work on a bank holiday?
Yes, unless your contract says otherwise. But your employer must then provide one of the four statutory benefits: a paid day off, an extra annual leave day, a public holiday payment, or a paid day off within a month.
What is the difference between a public holiday and a bank holiday in Ireland?
In practice they are the same — the official term is “public holiday”. “Bank holiday” is a colloquial term because banks close. The legal entitlements under the Organisation of Working Time Act apply to public holidays.
For business owners, the Danske Bank (corporate schedule) and Bank of Ireland UK (banking calendar) both warn that payment processing is delayed on public holidays — plan payroll accordingly.