When Is the Next Bank Holiday? Ireland & NI 2026

If you’re planning a long weekend or trying to figure out when the shops will be closed, here’s what you need: the next bank holiday in the Republic of Ireland is Monday, 26 October 2026, while in Northern Ireland it’s Monday, 13 July 2026. We’ve compared the official calendars from both jurisdictions so you can plan ahead.

Next bank holiday in Ireland (Republic): Monday, 26 October 2026 ·
Next bank holiday in Northern Ireland: Monday, 13 July 2026 ·
Total public holidays in Ireland in 2026: 10 ·
Total bank holiday Mondays in NI 2026: 7

The two jurisdictions on the island of Ireland share a few holidays, but their calendars diverge significantly. Here are the key numbers at a glance.

The pattern: Northern Ireland gets more holidays because it follows the UK schedule, including Good Friday and two May bank holidays, while the Republic has a single May bank holiday and an extra October break.

What Are the 10 Bank Holidays in Ireland?

List of public holidays in the Republic of Ireland

The Republic of Ireland observes nine public holidays in 2026, according to Citizens Information (official government information service). The list includes:

• New Year’s Day – 1 January
• St. Brigid’s Day – 2 February
• St. Patrick’s Day – 17 March
• Easter Monday – 6 April
• May Bank Holiday – 4 May
• June Bank Holiday – 1 June
• August Bank Holiday – 3 August
• October Bank Holiday – 26 October
• Christmas Day – 25 December
• St. Stephen’s Day – 26 December

Note: Good Friday (3 April) is not a public holiday in the Republic, though many businesses close. Banking & Payments Federation Ireland (financial industry body) confirms the full list.

When do these holidays fall in 2026?

All dates are fixed except Easter Monday, which depends on the ecclesiastical moon. In 2026, Easter Sunday is 5 April, so Easter Monday is 6 April. The pattern: eight of the ten holidays are on Mondays, giving workers regular three-day weekends.

What Are the Bank Holidays in Ireland in 2026?

Full calendar of Republic of Ireland bank holidays for 2026

The Republic’s nine public holidays are listed above. The Citizens Information (statutory rights guide) confirms that these are the only days where most employees are entitled to paid leave.

Full calendar of Northern Ireland bank holidays for 2026

Northern Ireland follows a different schedule, set by GOV.UK (UK government official portal). The 11 bank holidays for 2026 are:

• 1 January – New Year’s Day
• 17 March – St. Patrick’s Day
• 3 April – Good Friday
• 6 April – Easter Monday (not a NI bank holiday, but a public holiday in NI)
• 4 May – Early May Bank Holiday
• 25 May – Late May Bank Holiday
• 13 July – Battle of the Boyne (Orangemen’s Day)
• 31 August – Summer Bank Holiday
• 25 December – Christmas Day
• 26 December – Boxing Day
• 28 December – Substitute day for Boxing Day (since 26 December is a Saturday)

The pattern: Northern Ireland gets two May bank holidays and a separate summer holiday in August, while the Republic has only one May holiday and an October break. The Ireland.com (tourism authority) notes that the October Bank Holiday is unique to the Republic.

Is Monday, 16 March 2026 a Bank Holiday in Ireland?

Why 16 March is not a public holiday in the Republic of Ireland

St. Patrick’s Day 2026 falls on a Tuesday. The Monday before, 16 March, is a regular working day. Citizens Information (official government service) confirms that the Republic does not extend the holiday to create a long weekend. Only the actual date (17 March) is a public holiday.

Northern Ireland’s early March holiday schedule

Northern Ireland also observes St. Patrick’s Day on 17 March. The preceding Monday (16 March) is a normal working day. The next bank holiday in NI after New Year is Good Friday (3 April).

The implication: anyone hoping for a four-day weekend in mid-March will be disappointed — unless they take annual leave on the Monday.

What Is the Next Irish Holiday?

Next bank holiday in the Republic of Ireland

The next public holiday in the Republic of Ireland after the August Bank Holiday (3 August 2026) is the October Bank Holiday on Monday, 26 October 2026. Citizens Information (official guide) lists this date as the final Monday holiday of the year.

Next bank holiday in Northern Ireland

In Northern Ireland, the next bank holiday after the Summer Bank Holiday (31 August 2026) is actually the Battle of the Boyne on Monday, 13 July 2026 — which comes before August. So the next immediate NI bank holiday is 13 July. GOV.UK (UK government schedule) confirms 13 July as a Northern Ireland-specific holiday.

The pattern: The Republic’s next holiday is later in the year, while Northern Ireland has a summer holiday in July, then a gap until Christmas.

Is Ireland Getting Another Bank Holiday?

Proposals for additional public holidays in Ireland

There have been ongoing discussions about introducing a permanent November bank holiday in the Republic of Ireland, possibly linked to the National Day of Commemoration or a new cultural day. However, as of 2026, no legislation has been passed. Citizens Information (official source) shows that the standard 10 holidays remain unchanged for 2026.

Status of new bank holiday legislation

The Irish government’s 2022-2023 programme for government included a commitment to consult on a new public holiday. No formal bill has been introduced for 2026. The GOV.UK (UK government) calendar for Northern Ireland also shows no additional holidays beyond the 11 listed.

The trade-off: Adding a holiday would move the Republic to 10, matching Northern Ireland’s count. But for now, the calendars are frozen — and the next opportunity for change is 2027 at the earliest.

Timeline: 2026 Bank Holidays in Ireland & Northern Ireland

The 2026 calendar unfolds in a mixed rhythm — some holidays align, others diverge. Here’s the full timeline based on Citizens Information and GOV.UK.

The pattern: Only three holidays (New Year, St. Patrick’s Day, Christmas) are shared. The rest reflect each jurisdiction’s distinct traditions.

Clarity: Confirmed Facts vs. What’s Unclear

Expert Perspectives

“The nine public holidays in the Republic of Ireland are set out in the Organisation of Working Time Act. Employees are entitled to paid leave on these days, or a compensatory benefit if they work.”

— Citizens Information (official government information service)

“Northern Ireland has 11 bank holidays, including the Battle of the Boyne on 13 July and a substitute day for Boxing Day when it falls on a weekend.”

— GOV.UK (UK government portal)

“The October Bank Holiday is a unique feature of the Republic’s calendar, giving workers a break in late October that Northern Ireland doesn’t have.”

— Ireland.com (tourism authority)

“The next bank holiday in Ireland after August is 26 October, but if you’re in Northern Ireland, you have a holiday on 13 July first.”

— Money Guide Ireland (personal finance resource)

Summary

The 2026 bank holiday calendars for Ireland and Northern Ireland are set, and the next dates are clear: 13 July for Northern Ireland, 26 October for the Republic. For anyone planning travel or time off, the key takeaway is that the two jurisdictions diverge from April onward — Northern Ireland gets an extra May holiday and a July break, while the Republic has a longer gap in midsummer but an October reprieve. For residents near the border, the choice is simple: take the July holiday in NI or wait for the October holiday in the Republic — or take both.

Frequently asked questions