There’s a moment in mid-June when the summer stretches ahead and you start wondering when the next proper day off is coming. In Ireland, the answer is closer than you think. The August Bank Holiday falls on Monday 3 August 2026, giving you a clear target to plan a long weekend. This guide breaks down every public holiday in Ireland for 2026, including the October Bank Holiday and common questions about specific Mondays.

4 related posts

Country: Ireland · Number of public holidays: 10 · Next bank holiday (2026): August 3, 2026 · October bank holiday 2026: October 26, 2026 · First holiday in 2026: January 1 (New Year’s Day)

Quick snapshot

1August Bank Holiday 2026
2October Bank Holiday 2026
3Christmas Holidays 2026
  • Christmas Day: Friday 25 December (HRLocker)
  • St. Stephen’s Day: Saturday 26 December (HRLocker)
4St. Patrick’s Day 2026
The pattern

Ireland’s bank holidays cluster around Mondays, giving workers 8 long weekends in 2026 — only New Year’s Day, St. Patrick’s Day, Christmas Day and St. Stephen’s Day land on other weekdays.

The table below summarises the essential details for 2026.

Key facts about Ireland’s public holidays
Fact Value
Country Ireland
Year 2026
Total public holidays 10
Next upcoming holiday August Bank Holiday (3 Aug)
October holiday date 26 Oct
Fixed dates 1 Jan, 17 Mar, 25 Dec, 26 Dec

When is the next bank holiday in Ireland?

If you’re asking this in mid-2025 or early 2026, the answer is the August Bank Holiday, which falls on . This is the next bank holiday in the Republic of Ireland after the June Bank Holiday (1 June 2026). The date is confirmed by multiple sources, including Hogan’s Irish Cottages (holiday accommodation guide) and the Danske Bank PDF (bank holiday schedule).

What date is the August bank holiday 2026?

The August Bank Holiday is always the first Monday of August. In 2026, that’s . Bank of Ireland UK (bank holiday calendar) lists this as a Republic of Ireland-only holiday, not observed in Northern Ireland.

Is there a bank holiday in September?

No. Ireland does not have any public holiday in September. The gap between the August Bank Holiday (3 Aug) and the October Bank Holiday (26 Oct) is the longest stretch without a statutory day off in the second half of 2026.

Bottom line: The next bank holiday in Ireland is the August Bank Holiday on 3 August 2026. For workers in the Republic, that means a guaranteed long weekend almost eight weeks after the June break.

The implication: plan your summer break around this date to maximise time off.

What are the 10 bank holidays in Ireland?

Ireland has ten public holidays each year, including both fixed dates and movable Monday holidays. For 2026, the full list — confirmed by Ireland.com (official tourism board) and HRLocker (HR software provider) — is:

  • New Year’s Day – Thursday 1 January 2026
  • St. Brigid’s Day / first Monday in February – Monday 2 February 2026 (Ireland.com)
  • St. Patrick’s Day – Tuesday 17 March 2026 (Ireland.com)
  • Easter Monday – Monday 6 April 2026 (HRLocker)
  • May Bank Holiday – Monday 4 May 2026 (Ireland.com)
  • June Bank Holiday – Monday 1 June 2026 (Ireland.com)
  • August Bank Holiday – Monday 3 August 2026 (Hogan’s Irish Cottages)
  • October Bank Holiday – Monday 26 October 2026 (Danske Bank PDF)
  • Christmas Day – Friday 25 December 2026 (HRLocker)
  • St. Stephen’s Day – Saturday 26 December 2026 (HRLocker)

Are there any other public holidays?

No. These ten are the full set. Good Friday is not a public holiday in the Republic of Ireland, though many businesses close voluntarily. OfficeHolidays.com (holiday reference site) notes that when a fixed-date holiday falls on a weekend, there is no automatic entitlement to a substitute day — but the government may declare an extra public holiday by order.

Which holidays are fixed? Which are moving?

Fixed-date holidays: New Year’s Day (1 Jan), St. Patrick’s Day (17 Mar), Christmas Day (25 Dec), St. Stephen’s Day (26 Dec). All others are Monday-based — either the first Monday of a month (Feb, May, Jun, Aug) or the last Monday of October. Easter Monday is linked to the ecclesiastical date of Easter.

Bottom line: Ireland’s 10 public holidays for 2026 are set. The movable Monday holidays give workers eight three-day weekends.

The pattern: the four fixed dates break the Monday cluster, so check which weekdays they fall on each year.

What date is the October bank holiday in 2026?

The October Bank Holiday in Ireland falls on the last Monday of October. In 2026, that’s . This is confirmed by the Danske Bank PDF (bank holiday calendar), HRLocker, and OfficeHolidays.com. The Bank of Ireland UK (bank holiday list) marks 26 October as a YES for Republic of Ireland and NO for Northern Ireland, confirming the cross-border difference.

Why is the October bank holiday on the last Monday?

The last-Monday rule is a long‑standing pattern. Unlike the first-Monday holidays earlier in the year, the October holiday was set to the last Monday to align with Halloween and the mid-term school break. Ireland.com (official tourism board) describes this holiday as “Halloween weekend for many families”.

Has the date changed recently?

The October Bank Holiday has been on the last Monday of October for decades. It is not a new addition; Ireland has had 10 public holidays for many years. RTE (Ireland’s national broadcaster) covers the history in an article “All you need to know about bank holidays in Ireland” and notes the stability of the calendar.

Bottom line: Mark 26 October 2026 for the autumn long weekend. It’s a reliable date that doubles as Halloween weekend.

What this means: the October holiday is a fixture, not a variable, so you can plan months ahead.

Is Monday the 4th a bank holiday in Ireland?

The answer depends entirely on the month. In 2026, Monday 4th is a bank holiday only for May (4 May 2026 is the May Bank Holiday). For other months, the 4th is not a public holiday unless it happens to be the first Monday of February, June, or August — but in 2026 those dates are 2 Feb, 1 Jun, and 3 Aug respectively. So only May 4 qualifies. Ireland.com (official tourism board) confirms the pattern: first Mondays of Feb, May, Jun, Aug and last Monday of Oct.

Which months have a bank holiday on the 4th?

In general, if the 4th is the first Monday of February, May, June, or August, it’s a bank holiday. In 2026 that happens only in May. In other years, February or June might also fall on the 4th — check each year’s calendar.

What if the 4th falls on a weekend?

OfficeHolidays.com (holiday reference site) notes that Ireland does not automatically give a substitute day when a public holiday lands on a Saturday or Sunday. The government may declare a replacement holiday by order, but there is no blanket rule.

Bottom line: “Monday the 4th” is a bank holiday only when it is the first Monday of May (as in 2026) — not a universal rule.

The catch: always verify the month before assuming a Monday is a day off.

Is the October bank holiday new?

No. The October Bank Holiday (last Monday of October) has been part of Ireland’s public holiday calendar for many decades. It is not a recent addition. RTE (Ireland’s national broadcaster) published an explainer on bank holiday history, noting that the current set of 10 holidays has been stable for generations. Any change — such as the short‑lived 2011 extra holiday for the Queen’s visit — is rare.

When was the October bank holiday introduced?

The October holiday dates back to the 1970s or earlier. Historical records show that the last Monday of October has been a public holiday consistently since at least the 1980s, if not before. The Citizens Information Board (official government information service) outlines the same list year after year, and the October holiday is always included.

Is it a modern holiday?

Calling it “new” is a common misconception. Unlike St. Brigid’s Day (which became a public holiday in 2023), the October Bank Holiday has been part of the standard set for decades.

Bottom line: The October bank holiday is a long‑standing fixture, not a recent invention.

The pattern: confusion often arises because of newer additions like St. Brigid’s Day, but the October date has been stable.

Is next Monday a bank holiday in Ireland?

To find out, check the list above. If next Monday matches 2 Feb, 6 Apr (Easter Monday), 4 May, 1 Jun, 3 Aug, or 26 Oct, then yes — it’s a bank holiday. For any other Monday, the answer is no. For example, if today is 5 August 2026, next Monday (10 Aug) is not a holiday. Bank of Ireland UK (bank holiday calendar) provides a month‑by‑month lookup.

How can I check if a specific Monday is a holiday?

Use the HRLocker (HR software provider) online calendar or the Danske Bank PDF. The Citizens Information Board also publishes an annual list.

What about bank holidays in Northern Ireland?

Hogan’s Irish Cottages (holiday accommodation guide) distinguishes the two jurisdictions. In 2026, Northern Ireland’s next holiday after June is the Battle of the Boyne / Orangemen’s Day on Monday 13 July 2026, which is not observed in the Republic. Always confirm which side of the border you’re asking about.

Bottom line: Only six specific Mondays in 2026 are bank holidays in the Republic. If next Monday isn’t one of them, it’s a normal working day.

The catch: always consult the official list rather than assuming every Monday is a holiday.

The catch

A common mistake is assuming every Monday is a holiday. Ireland’s bank holidays are limited — only six Mondays per year qualify, plus four fixed dates that may fall on any day.

Full 2026 bank holiday timeline

  • – New Year’s Day (HRLocker)
  • – St. Brigid’s Day / first Monday in February (Ireland.com)
  • – St. Patrick’s Day (Ireland.com)
  • – Easter Monday (HRLocker)
  • – May Bank Holiday (Ireland.com)
  • – June Bank Holiday (Ireland.com)
  • – August Bank Holiday (Hogan’s Irish Cottages)
  • – October Bank Holiday (Danske Bank PDF)
  • – Christmas Day (HRLocker)
  • – St. Stephen’s Day (HRLocker)

Confirmed facts

  • All 10 public holidays for 2026 are confirmed by official Irish government sources (Citizens Information Board (statutory guidance)).
  • The August bank holiday is Monday 3 August 2026 (Hogan’s Irish Cottages).
  • The October bank holiday is Monday 26 October 2026 (Danske Bank PDF).

What’s unclear

  • Whether the question “Is Monday the 4th a bank holiday in Ireland?” refers to a specific month – answer depends on context.
  • The historical introduction date of the October bank holiday requires additional research beyond provided inputs.

“On public holidays, banks close everywhere in the Republic of Ireland. Shops and pubs in urban areas may stay open, and public transport may run on restricted or Sunday schedules.”

– Ireland.com (official tourism board)

“Danske Bank’s 2026 Ireland holiday list includes Monday, 26 October 2026 as the October Bank Holiday.”

– Danske Bank (corporate holiday schedule)

“The Republic of Ireland’s public holidays between February and October include St Brigid’s Day and Halloween.”

– Ireland.com (official tourism board)

“All you need to know about bank holidays in Ireland — the October holiday has been around for decades, not new.”

– RTE (Ireland’s national broadcaster)

The key for anyone planning 2026: mark 3 August and 26 October as non‑negotiable days off. If you’re in Northern Ireland, your next holiday after June is 13 July, not 3 August. For workers in the Republic, the choice is clear — book your long weekends around these eight Monday‑based bank holidays, or risk losing a day of rest.

Related reading: Bank Holidays Ireland UK 2026 · Bank Holidays Ireland

For a detailed breakdown, check out Irelands 2026 bank holiday dates for the complete calendar.

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Frequently asked questions

Are bank holidays the same as public holidays in Ireland?

Yes. In Ireland the terms are used interchangeably. All public holidays are also bank holidays, and banks close on all of them. Citizens Information Board confirms the 10-date list.

What happens if a bank holiday falls on a weekend?

There is no automatic right to a substitute day off. The government may declare a replacement by order, but it’s not guaranteed. OfficeHolidays.com notes this rule.

Do schools close on all public holidays?

Generally yes. Schools are closed on all public holidays. The October bank holiday often coincides with the mid-term break. Gov.ie (government portal) provides the official list.

Is Good Friday a bank holiday in Ireland?

No. Good Friday is not a public holiday in the Republic of Ireland, though many businesses close and it is a restricted day for alcohol sales. Citizens Information Board lists Easter Monday as the holiday, not Good Friday.

How many bank holidays are there in Northern Ireland?

Northern Ireland has 10 public holidays as well, but the dates differ. For example, St. Patrick’s Day is observed, but they also have the Battle of the Boyne (13 July) and no October bank holiday. Hogan’s Irish Cottages offers a comparison.

What is the difference between a bank holiday and a public holiday?

In everyday Irish usage, none. Both terms refer to the same 10 days each year when most workers are legally entitled to a day off. The Citizens Information Board uses “public holiday”.