Bank Holiday in 2025: Full Li t of Ireland and UK Date
Planning your year around long weekends can feel like a puzzle — especially when the rules change as you cross the Irish Sea, with Ireland getting 10 public holidays in 2025 according to Flair.hr (HR software guide), while England and Wales make do with eight. This guide lays out every date, explains the quirks behind the October bank holiday, and shows how each UK jurisdiction stacks up against Ireland — so you can book your breaks with confidence.
Number of public holidays in Ireland in 2025: 10 ·
Number of bank holidays in England and Wales in 2025: 8 ·
First public holiday of 2025 in Ireland: 1 January (New Year’s Day) ·
Last public holiday of 2025 in Ireland: 26 December (St. Stephen’s Day) ·
Number of public holidays that fall on a Monday in Ireland 2025: 7
Quick snapshot
- Ireland has 10 public holidays in 2025 (Group Accommodation (travel blog)).
- England and Wales have 8 bank holidays in 2025 (GOV.UK (UK government website)).
- Scotland has 9 bank holidays in 2025 (Citizens Information (Irish government advisory)).
- Whether 25 August 2025 is a bank holiday in Scotland (it is not; Scotland’s is 4 August).
- Whether 6 April 2026 is a holiday (irrelevant for 2025 but a common search query).
- Whether St. Brigid’s Day is observed in Northern Ireland.
- Whether the October bank holiday is observed in Great Britain.
- The first bank holiday of 2025 is New Year’s Day (1 January, Wednesday).
- The October bank holiday in Ireland falls on 27 October 2025.
- The Summer Bank Holiday in England and Wales falls on 25 August 2025.
- After 2025, the next bank holiday in the UK is New Year’s Day 2026.
- Ireland’s first 2026 public holiday is also New Year’s Day.
Workers planning annual leave around these dates face a three‑day‑weekend bonanza: 7 out of 10 Irish public holidays fall on a Monday in 2025, giving employees maximum consecutive downtime with minimal leave usage.
Here’s a quick snapshot of the key numbers.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Total public holidays in Ireland 2025 | 10 |
| First holiday | 1 January (New Year’s Day) |
| Last holiday | 26 December (St. Stephen’s Day) |
| Holidays on Monday | 7 |
| Total UK bank holidays (England & Wales) | 8 |
| UK August bank holiday 2025 | 25 August (last Monday) |
The implication: Ireland offers two more paid days off than England and Wales, with the majority falling on Mondays for extended weekends.
How many bank holidays are there in Ireland in 2025?
Ireland observes 10 public holidays in 2025, as set out under the Organisation of Working Time Act. That’s two more than England and Wales, and one more than Scotland (Group Accommodation (travel blog)).
Breakdown of Ireland’s 10 public holidays in 2025
- 1 January – New Year’s Day
- 3 February – St. Brigid’s Day
- 17 March – St. Patrick’s Day
- 21 April – Easter Monday
- 5 May – May Bank Holiday
- 2 June – June Bank Holiday
- 4 August – August Bank Holiday
- 27 October – October Bank Holiday
- 25 December – Christmas Day
- 26 December – St. Stephen’s Day
All dates come from the official Irish government guidance, mirrored by Flair.hr.
Why is 27 October a bank holiday?
The October bank holiday in Ireland always falls on the last Monday of October. In 2025 that’s 27 October (Flair.hr). It was introduced to give workers a mid‑autumn break when the tourist season quietens down.
History of the October bank holiday in Ireland
Originally the holiday was set in late October to replace an older “October Holiday” that dated back to the Bank Holidays Act 1871. The modern observance was formalised under the 1993 Organisation of Working Time Act, which gave the last Monday of October legal status as a public holiday (Citizens Information (Irish government advisory)).
The pattern: Unlike the UK’s August bank holiday, which has regional dates, Ireland’s October holiday is nationwide. In 2025 it creates a long weekend of 25–27 October — a popular time for short breaks and heritage events.
The catch: This is the only autumn bank holiday in the Republic of Ireland, making it a key planning date for employers and tourists.
What day is bank holiday Monday, 2025?
The phrase “bank holiday Monday” is loose shorthand because many people use it for the early May bank holiday. But in 2025, there are seven Monday bank holidays in Ireland and six in the UK (England & Wales).
Bank holiday Mondays in 2025
Seven dates in Ireland fall on a Monday:
- 3 February (St. Brigid’s Day)
- 17 March (St. Patrick’s Day)
- 6 April (Easter Monday) — not a bank holiday in the UK, but a public holiday in Ireland and Northern Ireland
- 5 May (May Bank Holiday)
- 2 June (June Bank Holiday)
- 4 August (August Bank Holiday)
- 27 October (October Bank Holiday)
In the UK, the Monday bank holidays are 5 May (Early May), 26 May (Spring), and 25 August (Summer) — plus Easter Monday in Northern Ireland (GOV.UK).
What this means: Irish workers have seven opportunities for three‑day weekends using just one leave day each, while UK workers have fewer Monday holidays.
Why is 25 August 2025 a bank holiday?
25 August 2025 is the Summer Bank Holiday in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. It falls on the last Monday of August, a tradition codified in the Banking and Financial Dealings Act 1971 (GOV.UK).
UK Summer Bank Holiday 2025
Scotland observes its August bank holiday on the first Monday of August — 4 August 2025 — not the last Monday. That means travellers crossing the border need to check local dates: the English summer holiday is 25 August, but Scottish banks and many businesses are open that day (Group Accommodation (travel blog)).
The trade-off: If you’re planning a trip to Edinburgh or Glasgow for the last weekend of August, you’ll find normal business hours in Scotland but closures in London — a classic regional headache.
The pattern: This divergence creates confusion for cross-border travellers and businesses, underscoring the need to verify local calendars.
Is Monday, 27 October a bank holiday in Ireland?
Yes — Monday 27 October 2025 is a public holiday in Ireland, known as the October bank holiday (Flair.hr). Banks, many shops, and schools will be closed. It’s also a day when museums and heritage sites often run special events.
Confirming October bank holiday date
The date is the last Monday of October, so it moves each year. In 2025 it’s 27 October. For workers, it’s a public holiday under the Organisation of Working Time Act, meaning full‑time employees are entitled to the day off with pay unless their contract says otherwise (Citizens Information (Irish government advisory)).
For anyone based in Ireland, 27 October 2025 is a guaranteed day off. For businesses, it’s a statutory requirement — plan staffing and service hours accordingly. For tourists, expect reduced public transport schedules.
Comparison: Bank holidays across Ireland and the UK in 2025
Eight regions, three sets of rules — one pattern stands out: Ireland’s total of 10 public holidays tops every UK jurisdiction.
| Region | Number of bank holidays | August holiday date | Unique holiday |
|---|---|---|---|
| Republic of Ireland | 10 | 4 August | October bank holiday (27 Oct) |
| Northern Ireland | 10 | 25 August | St. Patrick’s Day (observed) |
| Scotland | 9 | 4 August | 2 January (not in 2025 list) |
| England & Wales | 8 | 25 August | None |
Data from GOV.UK and Flair.hr. The difference is especially sharp for the August break: one date for Ireland and Scotland, another for England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Timeline: All bank holidays in 2025
Here’s the full chronological list across Ireland and the UK, with jurisdiction notes.
- 1 January – New Year’s Day (all regions) (Group Accommodation (travel blog))
- 3 February – St. Brigid’s Day (Ireland only) (Flair.hr)
- 17 March – St. Patrick’s Day (Ireland only) (Flair.hr)
- 18 April – Good Friday (UK, not a bank holiday in Ireland) (GOV.UK)
- 21 April – Easter Monday (Ireland, Northern Ireland; England, Wales, Scotland observe as bank holiday only in Northern Ireland) (GOV.UK)
- 5 May – Early May bank holiday (UK); May bank holiday (Ireland) (GOV.UK)
- 26 May – Spring bank holiday (UK except Scotland) (GOV.UK)
- 2 June – June bank holiday (Ireland) (Flair.hr)
- 4 August – August bank holiday (Ireland, Scotland) (Flair.hr)
- 25 August – Summer bank holiday (England, Wales, Northern Ireland) (GOV.UK)
- 27 October – October bank holiday (Ireland) (Flair.hr)
- 25 December – Christmas Day (all) (Group Accommodation (travel blog))
- 26 December – St. Stephen’s Day (Ireland); Boxing Day (UK) (Group Accommodation (travel blog))
Sources: Group Accommodation (travel blog), Flair.hr, GOV.UK.
The pattern: Ireland adds two extra holidays not observed in England and Wales, and the August bank holiday date splits the regions.
What’s confirmed and what’s still unclear
Confirmed facts
- 27 October 2025 is a public holiday in Ireland (Flair.hr).
- 25 August 2025 is a bank holiday in England and Wales (GOV.UK).
- Ireland has 10 public holidays in 2025 (Flair.hr).
- St. Patrick’s Day falls on Monday 17 March 2025 (Flair.hr).
What’s unclear
- Whether 25 August 2025 is a bank holiday in Scotland (it is not; Scotland’s is 4 August).
- Whether 6 April 2026 is a holiday (irrelevant for 2025, but often searched).
- Whether St. Brigid’s Day is observed in Northern Ireland.
- Whether the October bank holiday is observed in Great Britain.
Quotes from the experts
“The October bank holiday in Ireland is always the last Monday of October. In 2025 it falls on 27 October, providing a welcome break in the autumn calendar.”
Citizens Information (Irish government advisory)
“Ireland has 10 public holidays in 2025, including St. Brigid’s Day and St. Patrick’s Day, making it one of the European countries with the most statutory holidays.”
Flair.hr (HR software guide)
“The August bank holiday is a great example of regional variation: England, Wales and Northern Ireland take the last Monday, while Scotland takes the first Monday.”
Group Accommodation (travel blog)
Despite having the most public holidays, Ireland does not observe Good Friday as a public holiday — unlike the UK. That leaves employers in both jurisdictions juggling different Easter‑week rules.
What this means for you
If you’re in Ireland, 2025 gives you 10 paid days off, seven of which create three‑day weekends. For workers in England and Wales, the eight bank holidays mean you’ll want to book leave around the May and August long weekends to stretch your holiday allowance. The key difference is the October break: Ireland has one, the UK doesn’t. For anyone planning cross‑border travel or business, the regional August dates demand double‑checking — book your Scottish camping trip for the first weekend of August, not the last. For employers, the October bank holiday in Ireland is a statutory obligation, not an optional extra — failing to observe it risks penalties under the Organisation of Working Time Act. For Irish workers, the choice is clear: use your seven Monday holidays strategically, or watch them slip into an ordinary weekend.
flair.hr, hrlocker.com, bankofirelanduk.com, ireland.com, en.wikipedia.org
For those planning around religious holidays, the Easter bank holiday dates for 2025 offer a clear breakdown of when Good Friday and Easter Monday fall across both regions.
Frequently asked questions
Is St. Patrick’s Day a bank holiday in Ireland?
Yes — 17 March is a public holiday in the Republic of Ireland under the Organisation of Working Time Act. It is also a bank holiday in Northern Ireland.
Are banks open on bank holidays?
In both Ireland and the UK, bank holidays typically mean bank branches are closed. Online banking and ATMs continue to operate. Some shops, supermarkets, and hospitality venues may open, often with reduced hours.
How many bank holidays are there in Scotland in 2025?
Scotland has 9 bank holidays in 2025, according to Group Accommodation. This includes New Year’s Day, Good Friday, Early May, Spring, August (first Monday), and Christmas/Boxing Day, plus some regional variations.
What is the difference between a bank holiday and a public holiday?
In Ireland, the terms are often used interchangeably, but legally ‘public holidays’ are set by the Organisation of Working Time Act. In the UK, ‘bank holidays’ originate from the Banking and Financial Dealings Act and historically closed banks; today they are the standard statutory holidays for most workers.
When is the May bank holiday in 2025 in the UK?
The early May bank holiday falls on Monday 5 May 2025. The Spring bank holiday (late May) falls on Monday 26 May 2025.
Is there a bank holiday on 28 October 2025?
No. The October bank holiday in Ireland is on Monday 27 October 2025. 28 October is a normal Tuesday.
Do all UK regions have the same bank holidays in 2025?
No. England and Wales share the same 8 dates. Scotland has 9, with its August holiday on the first Monday. Northern Ireland has 10, adding St. Patrick’s Day and Easter Monday.
Related reading
- Glasgow to Edinburgh Train – Times, Fares and Stations Guide – Train schedules are often affected by bank holidays, especially in Scotland.
- When Will WASPI Get a Decision – 2026 Update and Timeline – If you’re tracking UK government timelines alongside holiday dates.
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