## The 10 public holidays in 2026
| Date | Holiday |
| --- | --- |
| Thursday 1 January | New Year's Day |
| Monday 2 February | St Brigid's Day |
| Tuesday 17 March | St Patrick's Day |
| Monday 6 April | Easter Monday |
| Monday 4 May | May Day |
| Monday 1 June | June Bank Holiday |
| Monday 3 August | August Bank Holiday |
| Monday 26 October | October Bank Holiday |
| Friday 25 December | Christmas Day |
| Saturday 26 December | St Stephen's Day |
Note that St Brigid's Day always falls on the first Monday in February (or 1 February if it is a Friday).
## Employee entitlement
Under the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997, full time and qualifying part time employees are entitled to one of:
1. A paid day off on the public holiday
2. A paid day off within a month
3. An additional day's annual leave
4. An additional day's pay
The employer chooses which option to apply. Employees can be told of the option no later than 14 days before the holiday.
## Part time qualification
Part time employees qualify if they have worked at least 40 hours in the 5 weeks before the public holiday.
## Worked example, full time worker
Aoife is full time, paid €40,000 per year. St Patrick's Day falls on a Tuesday in 2026 (a normal working day). She gets the day off paid at her usual rate. No additional pay or time is owed.
## Worked example, public holiday on day off
Brendan works Monday to Friday. Christmas Day 2026 is a Friday (standard working day, included as paid day off) but St Stephen's Day falls on a Saturday (his day off).
He is entitled to one of the four options for the Saturday holiday:
- An additional day off in lieu within a month
- An additional day's annual leave
- An additional day's pay (typically one fifth of his normal weekly wage)
## Worked example, part time qualifier
Roisin works two days a week. She has worked 8 hours per day for the 5 weeks before St Patrick's Day. She qualifies (40 hours).
If she would normally have worked the holiday: full pay for the day.
If she would not normally have worked it: one fifth of her usual weekly pay.
## Public holiday pay calculation
For a salaried employee, public holiday pay is normally absorbed in the monthly salary. For an hourly worker, the calculation is:
- One fifth of the normal weekly wage for the week before the holiday, including reasonable bonus and shift premium
## Working on a public holiday
There is no statutory premium rate for working on a public holiday in Ireland (unlike Sunday). Many employers pay an enhanced rate by contract or agreement, but it is not required by law.
## Educational notice
Working time rules are detailed. Always consult workplacerelations.ie or a qualified employment adviser for specific situations.