Ireland’s Organisation of Working Time Act 1997 guarantees all employees 9 public holidays per year, and employers must either grant the day off or provide a benefit equivalent. In 2027, Ireland observes 9 public holidays, and getting them wrong can result in complaints to the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC).
This guide covers every 2027 public holiday, how to calculate holiday pay, and the rules for employees who don’t have a fixed working pattern.
This article is general information, not legal advice.
Key Takeaways
- Ireland has 9 public holidays in 2027
- Employees are entitled to a paid day off on each public holiday
- If an employee works on a public holiday, they receive an additional day’s pay or a paid day off within a month
- Public holiday benefit is based on hours worked in the previous month
- Part-time and irregular-hours employees are entitled on a pro-rata basis
All 9 Public Holidays in 2027
| Holiday | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| New Year’s Day | 1 January | Friday |
| St. Brigid’s Day | 1 February | Monday |
| St. Patrick’s Day | 17 March | Wednesday |
| Easter Monday | 29 March | Monday |
| May Day (Labour Day) | 3 May | Monday |
| June Bank Holiday | 7 June | Monday |
| August Bank Holiday | 2 August | Monday |
| October Bank Holiday | 25 October | Monday |
| Christmas Day | 25 December | Saturday |
| St. Stephen’s Day | 26 December | Sunday |
Note: Christmas Day (25 December) and St. Stephen’s Day (26 December) fall on a weekend in 2027. Check with your payroll provider for the replacement days — typically the following Monday and Tuesday.
Holiday Pay: How to Calculate It
Employees with Fixed Hours
If an employee has a fixed working pattern (e.g., Monday to Friday), the public holiday entitlement is straightforward:
- The employee receives their normal daily pay for the public holiday
- If they work on the public holiday, they receive normal pay plus an additional day’s pay (or a paid day off within one month)
Employees with Irregular Hours
For employees without a fixed pattern (part-time, casual, shift workers), the entitlement is based on hours worked in the previous month:
Calculation:
- Count total hours worked in the 4 weeks before the public holiday
- Divide by 5 (to get average daily hours)
- Multiply by the employee’s hourly rate
Example: An employee works 80 hours in the 4 weeks before St. Patrick’s Day, earning €18/hour:
- Average daily hours: 80 / 5 = 16 hours
- Holiday pay: 16 × €18 = €288
No Hours in Previous Month
If the employee has not worked in the previous 4 weeks, they are not entitled to public holiday benefit — unless they have a contract that provides otherwise.
Replacement Day Rules
When a public holiday falls on a weekend:
- St. Brigid’s Day (1 February, Monday in 2027) — no issue
- Christmas Day (25 December, Saturday) — the following Monday is typically observed
- St. Stephen’s Day (26 December, Sunday) — the following Tuesday is typically observed
The Organisation of Working Time Act does not automatically transfer weekend public holidays. However, many employers and sectors grant the following Monday/Tuesday as a replacement. Check your employment contracts and sector agreements.
What Employers Must Do
Grant the Day Off or Provide Compensation
Every employee is entitled to one of the following for each public holiday:
- A paid day off on the public holiday
- A paid day off within a month of the public holiday
- An additional day’s pay (if the employee works on the public holiday)
- A day off on the Church holiday designated in lieu (if the employee’s contract provides for this)
Display a Notice
Employers must display a notice in a prominent place showing:
- The public holidays observed
- The names of the holidays
- The dates
Record-Keeping
Maintain records of:
- Public holidays worked by each employee
- Payments made for public holidays
- Replacement days granted
Common Employer Challenges
1. Part-Time and Zero-Hours Employees
Part-time employees are entitled to public holidays on a pro-rata basis. You cannot exclude them from entitlements because they don’t work full-time.
2. Employees Who Started Recently
An employee is entitled to public holiday benefit after 13 weeks of continuous service if they don’t have a fixed working pattern. If they have a fixed pattern, they are entitled from day one.
3. Bank Holidays vs Public Holidays
Ireland’s bank holidays (managed by the Central Bank) are not the same as public holidays under employment law. While they often coincide, always follow the statutory public holiday list.
4. Annual Leave Interaction
If a public holiday falls during an employee’s annual leave, the public holiday does not count as a day of annual leave. The employee gets the public holiday as an additional day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do employees have to take the public holiday off?
No. An employee can agree to work on a public holiday. However, they are still entitled to either an additional day’s pay or a paid day off within one month.
Can an employer require employees to work on a public holiday?
An employer can request it, but the employee’s entitlement to additional pay or a replacement day still applies. You cannot compel an employee to work on a public holiday without proper compensation.
What about employees on maternity/paternity leave?
Employees on maternity, paternity, or adoptive leave continue to accrue public holiday entitlements. They are entitled to public holiday benefit during their leave.
Do agency workers get public holidays?
Yes. Agency workers are entitled to public holiday benefit from their first day of employment. The employment agency or the user company must provide the benefit.
What happens if a public holiday falls on a Sunday?
If a public holiday falls on a Sunday and the employee doesn’t normally work on Sundays, the entitlement may transfer to the following Monday — but only if the employment contract or a sectoral agreement provides for it. Check your specific arrangements.