Best days to take off in Ireland in 2026

Public holidays in Ireland in 2026

1 of these fall on a weekend in 2026.

Long weekends in Ireland in 2026

• Sat 31 Jan to Mon 2 Feb, 3 days: St. Brigid’s Day
• Fri 3 Apr to Mon 6 Apr, 4 days: Good Friday, Easter Monday
• Sat 2 May to Mon 4 May, 3 days: First Monday in May
• Sat 30 May to Mon 1 Jun, 3 days: First Monday in June
• Sat 1 Aug to Mon 3 Aug, 3 days: First Monday in August
• Sat 24 Oct to Mon 26 Oct, 3 days: Last Monday in October
• Fri 25 Dec to Mon 28 Dec, 4 days: Christmas Day, St. Stephen’s Day, St. Stephen’s Day (substitute day)

Best bridge days to book in 2026

A bridge day is a working day between a public holiday and a weekend. Booking it joins them into one long break.

1. Book Fri 2 Jan (1 day) for 4 days off, Thu 1 Jan to Sun 4 Jan, around New Year's Day.
2. Book Fri 30 Jan (1 day) for 4 days off, Fri 30 Jan to Mon 2 Feb, around St. Brigid’s Day.
3. Book Mon 16 Mar (1 day) for 4 days off, Sat 14 Mar to Tue 17 Mar, around St. Patrick’s Day.
4. Book Thu 2 Apr (1 day) for 5 days off, Thu 2 Apr to Mon 6 Apr, around Good Friday, Easter Monday.
5. Book Fri 1 May (1 day) for 4 days off, Fri 1 May to Mon 4 May, around First Monday in May.
6. Book Fri 29 May (1 day) for 4 days off, Fri 29 May to Mon 1 Jun, around First Monday in June.
7. Book Fri 31 Jul (1 day) for 4 days off, Fri 31 Jul to Mon 3 Aug, around First Monday in August.
8. Book Thu 24 Dec (1 day) for 5 days off, Thu 24 Dec to Mon 28 Dec, around Christmas Day, St. Stephen’s Day (substitute day).

How many days off can you get in 2026?

A plan for 20 days of leave in 2026

20 days of leave become 53 days off, in 9 breaks of at least five days.

1. Thu 1 Jan to Mon 5 Jan: 5 days off for 2 booked (Fri 2 Jan, Mon 5 Jan)
2. Sat 31 Jan to Sun 8 Feb: 9 days off for 4 booked (Tue 3 Feb, Wed 4 Feb, Thu 5 Feb, Fri 6 Feb)
3. Sat 14 Mar to Sun 22 Mar: 9 days off for 4 booked (Mon 16 Mar, Wed 18 Mar, Thu 19 Mar, Fri 20 Mar)
4. Thu 2 Apr to Mon 6 Apr: 5 days off for 1 booked (Thu 2 Apr)
5. Thu 30 Apr to Mon 4 May: 5 days off for 2 booked (Thu 30 Apr, Fri 1 May)
6. Thu 28 May to Mon 1 Jun: 5 days off for 2 booked (Thu 28 May, Fri 29 May)
7. Thu 30 Jul to Mon 3 Aug: 5 days off for 2 booked (Thu 30 Jul, Fri 31 Jul)
8. Thu 22 Oct to Mon 26 Oct: 5 days off for 2 booked (Thu 22 Oct, Fri 23 Oct)
9. Thu 24 Dec to Mon 28 Dec: 5 days off for 1 booked (Thu 24 Dec)

Open this plan and change it

Questions about 2026 in Ireland

How many public holidays does Ireland have in 2026?

Ireland has 12 public holidays in 2026, and 1 of them falls on a weekend.

When are the long weekends in Ireland in 2026?

Without booking any leave: Sat 31 Jan to Mon 2 Feb (St. Brigid’s Day), Fri 3 Apr to Mon 6 Apr (Good Friday, Easter Monday), Sat 2 May to Mon 4 May (First Monday in May), Sat 30 May to Mon 1 Jun (First Monday in June), Sat 1 Aug to Mon 3 Aug (First Monday in August), Sat 24 Oct to Mon 26 Oct (Last Monday in October) and Fri 25 Dec to Mon 28 Dec (Christmas Day, St. Stephen’s Day, St. Stephen’s Day (substitute day)).

What are the best days to take off in Ireland in 2026?

Book Thu 2 Apr to get 5 days off, from Thu 2 Apr to Mon 6 Apr. With 20 days of leave, the best plan gives 53 days off across 9 breaks.