Global Compliance Desk – Ireland

Ireland Adds New Public Holiday for 2023

A new public holiday to recognize the efforts of the country during the Covid-19 pandemic and to remember those who lost their lives has been agreed upon by the Irish Government. 

This year, employees will be entitled to a once-off public holiday on March 18, 2022. The government has allocated this day in recognition of the efforts of the frontline workers during the COVID-19 pandemic, and also in remembrance of people who lost their lives due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The holiday will be followed by a day of remembrance and recognition, to take place over St Patrick’s weekend.

New Public Holiday from 2023

From the year 2023, there will be a new permanent public holiday established in celebration of Imbolc/St Brigid’s Day. This will be the first Monday in every February, except where St. Brigid’s Day, the 1st day of February, happens to fall on a Friday, in which case Friday (February 1) shall be a public holiday.