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Calls for a Bank Holiday in July leave many Irish divided

Calls for a Bank Holiday in July leave many Irish divided

Extra.ie​11-06-2025
Irish people have been left divided over calls for another bank holiday during the summer months.
Ireland, which has 10 bank holiday's annually, has less on average than the EU, which boasts an average of just over 12. Well, we won't say no to another day off work that's for sure! Pic: Getty Images
Now, Donegal County Council are looking to rectify this, calling on the Government for an additional Bank Holiday in July to honour St Columcille, the third patron saint of Ireland.
St Columcille is the patron saint of poets and bookbinders and was believed to hold back floods.
It is believed he was born in Gartan in Co Donegal, and is also recognized as the founder of Derry City. Irish people have been left divided over calls for another bank holiday during the summer months. Pic: Sasko Lazarov / RollingNews.ie
The campaign comes after a bank holiday was added in February to celebrate St Brigid, the second saint of Ireland back in 2023.
In 2025, there are bank holidays in January, February, March, April, May, June, August, October, and on December 25 and 26, therefore Donegal councillor Jimmy Kavanagh has called for July to get a similar treatment.
However, Claire Clarkson, also known as @whatsgoingoninireland, shared the update with her TikTok followers, with many left divided by the campaign.
She questioned: 'Do you think we get enough time off as it is and we should just be working even harder?'
While many were in favour of the move, many business owners weren't having it.
'It's costing small business a fortune on bank holiday weekends and nothing extra gained,' one user commented.
'How can the small & medium businesses afford their employees 2 extra bank holidays? We the consumer will ultimately pay thus increasing the cost of living crisis,' another added.
'I'm pretty sure if employees had an option of a day off the end of the month, no pay, they'd take it. Small companies struggling enough, and too many closures as is,' a third penned.
What do you think? Would a July Bank Holiday be up you alley?
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