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Irish Public Holiday Dates
There are nine public holidays per year in Ireland.
NB
*Good Friday is not a public holiday, while some schools and businesses close on that day you have no automatic entitlement to time off work.
Find out about the Irish School Holidays.
Irish Public Holiday Business Opening Hours
On these days, most businesses and schools close. However, many of the larger chain and department stores in the cities usually stay open, except for Christmas day.
Irish Public Holiday Sale of Alcohol Laws
The sale of alcohol is only permitted between the hours of 10.30am and 10.00pm on St Patrick’s Day. Sales are not permitted on Good Friday or Christmas Day. This does not affect supermarket opening hours on these days as they just block access to their alcoholic products outside of these permitted times.
Public Transport on Irish Public Holidays
Public transport still operates, but on restricted schedules.
Public Holiday Employment Rules in Ireland
Most employees are entitled to paid leave on public holidays and they receive one of the following:
- A paid day off
- An additional day of annual leave
- An additional days pay
- A paid day off within a month of the public holiday
If the public holiday falls on a weekend, you do not have the automatic entitlement to have the next working day off. It is up to your employer whether you need to work that day. They can provide you with any of the above four options.
Part-time employees who have not worked for their employer at least 40 hours in total in the 5 weeks before the public holiday are not entitled to the holiday benefits.
What to Expect on St Patricks Day in Ireland
In the city areas, especially Dublin, it can become overcrowded with tourists flying in to experience the true St Patrick’s day. Most main centres put on parades and festivals for the public, however, while tourists and young folk flock to the cities to party hard, the rest of Ireland tend to have a more family and community approach to the celebrations.
Off-licence sales of alcohol is only permitted between the hours of 10.00pm on St Patricks Day.
What to Expect over the Christmas Period in Ireland
Many businesses and workplaces close for the period from Christmas day until the working day that follows New Years day.
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