2025 Holidays - Ireland

Ireland Public Holiday Observance Rules

1. General Observance

- Public holidays in Ireland are established by national legislation and published in the official holiday calendar.

- Ireland’s public holidays include both fixed-date holidays (e.g., St. Patrick’s Day, Christmas Day, St. Stephen’s Day) and bank holidays that occur on specific Mondays (e.g., May Day, June Bank Holiday, August Bank Holiday, and October Bank Holiday), as well as Easter Monday.

2. When a Fixed-Date Public Holiday Falls on a Sunday

- If a fixed-date public holiday (such as Christmas Day or St. Stephen’s Day) falls on a Sunday, a substitute day is provided on the following Monday.

- This substitution ensures that employees receive a weekday off in place of the holiday falling on the weekend.

3. When a Fixed-Date Public Holiday Falls on a Saturday

- If a fixed-date public holiday falls on a Saturday, a substitute day is typically provided on the following Monday as well.

- This arrangement applies, for example, to Christmas Day and St. Stephen’s Day if they do not fall on a weekday.

4. Bank Holidays and Bridge Arrangements

- Many bank holidays in Ireland are already fixed on Mondays (such as the May Day Bank Holiday, June Bank Holiday, August Bank Holiday, and October Bank Holiday) and do not require substitution.

- In cases where a fixed-date holiday falls on a weekend, the statutory substitute day helps form a long weekend, contributing to the overall bridge holiday arrangement.

5. Additional Notes

- Employers must comply with the official holiday calendar as published by the Irish government.

- Employees working on a public holiday—or on the substitute day provided in lieu of a weekend occurrence—are entitled to premium pay or compensatory time off in accordance with Irish labor law.

- For the most current and accurate details, always consult the latest official holiday calendar and any recent government announcements or legislative updates.