What are the public holidays in Ireland?

Public holidays in Ireland provide employees with paid time off and serve as important dates for rest, celebration, and cultural observance. Here’s a guide to understanding public holidays in Ireland, including information on regional holidays.

National Public Holidays

Ireland has 10 official public holidays each year. These are:

New Year’s Day (January 1st)
St. Patrick’s Day (March 17th)
Easter Monday (date varies)
First Monday in May (May Day)
First Monday in June (June Bank Holiday)
First Monday in August (August Bank Holiday)
Last Monday in October (October Bank Holiday)
Christmas Day (December 25th)
St. Stephen’s Day (December 26th)
New Year's Eve (December 31st)

Employee Entitlements

Paid Leave: Employees are entitled to a paid day off on public holidays. If required to work on a public holiday, they may be entitled to an additional day’s pay or a day off in lieu.
Part-Time Employees: Part-time employees qualify for public holiday benefits if they have worked at least 40 hours in the five weeks before the public holiday.

Regional Holidays

While the 10 public holidays listed above apply nationwide, Ireland also recognizes some regional holidays, although they are less common:

St. Brigid’s Day (February 1st): Traditionally celebrated in some parts of Ireland, but it is not an official public holiday. However, from 2023 onwards, St. Brigid's Day has been established as a public holiday on the first Monday in February.
Lá na mBan (Women’s Christmas) (January 6th): Celebrated in some regions, particularly in the south, although it is not a public holiday.

Explanation of Regional Holidays

Regional holidays are specific to certain areas or are traditional observances that may not be recognized as official public holidays across the country. These days may be celebrated locally with specific customs or events, but they do not usually grant statutory time off or the same entitlements as national public holidays.

Understanding Your Rights

It's important for employees to understand their entitlements regarding public holidays. While the 10 national holidays are guaranteed, any work on these days should be compensated with an extra day’s pay or a day off in lieu. For those working in regions with local holidays, these days are often observed culturally but may not necessarily come with statutory leave.

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