Public holidays in the Republic of Ireland


Public holidays in the Republic of Ireland - Definition

1. New Year's Day, January 1
2. St. Patrick's Day, March 17
3. Easter Monday, date varies
4. First Monday of May
5. First Monday of June (formerly observed on Whit Monday)
6. First Monday of August
7. Last Monday of October (commonly called the Halloween holiday)
8. Christmas Day, December 25
9. St. Stephen's Day, December 26
10 Good Friday, date varies (though observed as a holiday by schools, banks, public offices, it is not an official public holiday)

School Holidays (Primary)

In the Republic of Ireland the academic year in primary schools lasts from September 1 to June 30.
The academic year is composed of 183 schooldays (with 6 in-service days this is reduced to 177) and schools are not open in July or August (though for flexibility school may open for the last two/three days of August).

The first mid-term break is always the last week of October (commonly called the Halloween break).
The Christmas break lasts from the last schoolday before December 23 to the first weekday after January 6 (17-21 days).
The second mid-term break is a minimum of two days to a maximum of five days duration taken in the third week of February (commonly called the Shrove break.
The Easter break consists of a week before Easter to the 2nd Monday after Easter (10 school days or 16 days inclusive).
In the last term holidays are flexible and are generally arranged around the public holidays in May and June.