Irish public holidays can be a confusing issue – indeed most travel guides and websites seem to get something wrong. This despite the fact that there are clearly defined public holidays both in the Republic of Ireland (RoI) and Northern Ireland (NI), some but not all coinciding.
This is the definitive list of public holidays:
New Year's Day – January 1st
A public holiday all over Ireland, most businesses will be closed.
Should January 1st fall on a Saturday or Sunday, the following Monday will be a holiday in lieu.
Holiday dates:
- 2009 – January 1st
- 2010 – January 1st
- 2011 – January 3rd (in lieu)
Saint Patrick's Day – March 17th
A public holiday all over Ireland, most businesses will be closed. Special curbs on the sale of alcohol are being introduced.
Should Saint Patrick’s Day fall on a Saturday or Sunday, the following Monday will be a holiday in lieu.
Holiday dates:
- 2009 – March 17th
- 2010 – March 17th
- 2011 – March 17th
Good Friday
A public holiday in Northern Ireland only, most businesses will be closed. In the Republic pubs are closed and there are no alcohol sales allowed; also banks will remain closed on Good Friday.
Holiday dates:
- 2009 – April 10th
- 2010 – April 2nd
- 2011 – April 22nd
Easter Monday
A public holiday all over Ireland, most businesses will be closed.
Holiday dates:
- 2009 – April 13th
- 2010 – April 5th
- 2011 – April 25th
Spring Bank Holiday (RoI) - First Monday in May
A public holiday all over Ireland, most businesses will be closed.
Holiday dates:
- 2009 – May 4th – also inofficial Jedi Day („May the Fourth be with You“)
- 2010 – May 3rd
- 2011 – May 2nd
Spring Bank Holiday (NI) - Last Monday in May
A public holiday in Northern Ireland only, most businesses will be closed.
Holiday dates:
- 2009 – May 25th
- 2010 – May 31st
- 2011 – May 30th
June Bank Holiday - First Monday in June
A public holiday in the Republic of Ireland only, most businesses will be closed.
Holiday dates:
- 2009 – June 1st
- 2010 – June 7th
- 2011 – June 6th
Battle of the Boyne Anniversary – July 12th
A public holiday in Northern Ireland only, most businesses will be closed.
Should July 12th fall on a Saturday or Sunday, the following Monday will be a holiday in lieu.
Holiday dates:
- 2009 – July 13th (in lieu)
- 2010 – July 12th
- 2011 – July 12th
Summer Bank Holiday (RoI) - First Monday in August
A public holiday in the Republic of Ireland only, most businesses will be closed.
Holiday dates:
- 2009 – August 3rd
- 2010 – August 2nd
- 2011 – August 1st
Summer Bank Holiday (NI) - Last Monday in August
A public holiday in Northern Ireland only, most businesses will be closed.
Holiday dates:
- 2009 – August 31st
- 2010 – August 30th
- 2011 – August 29th
