What are Ireland's public holidays, and which ones most affect travel plans?
The Republic has ten public holidays: New Year's Day, St Brigid's Day on the first Monday in February, St Patrick's Day on 17 March, Easter Monday, the first Mondays in May, June and August, the last Monday in October, Christmas Day and St Stephen's Day on 26 December. Northern Ireland also has ten, but a different ten: it keeps Good Friday, a late May holiday, the Twelfth of July holiday and a late August holiday, and has no February, June or October day. Three periods affect a trip most. St Patrick's Day brings parades, road closures and full hotels. Christmas Day and 26 December close almost everything, with thin transport. Bank holiday weekends in both jurisdictions push bed prices up, so book those weekends first.
Useful pages: Money and tipping in Ireland · Shopping in Ireland · Packing checklist · Travel notices · Healthcare and emergencies · Irish weather · Festivals and events · Dublin · Ireland dos and don'ts · Solo travel in Ireland · First time visitor tips
Sources
- Workplace Relations Commission: public holidays in Ireland, workplacerelations.ie; nidirect: Northern Ireland bank holidays, Sunday trading and smoking law, nidirect.gov.uk
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