Next Ireland bank holiday date as change for 2026 confirmed
However, July brings some disappointment, as there are no bank holidays scheduled this month. That makes the official lists for 2025 and 2026 all the more useful for anyone looking to plan trips, family time or a well-earned break.
There are 10 bank holidays in total this year and the vast majority of employees are entitled to paid leave for them under the Organisation of Working Time Act. Most businesses and schools close, while other services like public transport still operate but often have restricted schedules.
With six bank holidays already behind us, the next one is coming soon - the August bank holiday falls on Monday, August 4 this year. That's followed by one more in October, before we wrap up 2025 with Christmas Day and St Stephen's Day.
Looking ahead to 2026, a notable change is on the way: St Stephen's Day (December 26) will fall on a Saturday. That means most workers will be entitled to a substitute benefit - essentially, an extra day off - as compensation for the public holiday falling on a weekend.
According to Citizen's Information: "If the public holiday falls on a day which is not a normal working day for that business (for example, on Saturday or Sunday), you are still entitled to benefit for that public holiday. However, you do not have any automatic legal entitlement to have the next working day off work."
The Irish Government has confirmed that employers must offer one of the following options:
So, many Irish workers can expect a bonus day off around Christmas in 2026.
This change will be even more pronounced in 2027 when both Christmas Day and St Stephen's Day will fall on the weekend - Saturday and Sunday - meaning two extra days off could be on offer for many workers, depending on employer arrangements.
Remaining 2025 bank holidays
Full list of 2026 bank holidays
So while July may leave a gap in your calendar, there's still plenty to look forward to - especially with a festive bonus on the horizon in 2026.
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