UK: Northern Ireland public holidays

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Bank and public holidays10 days in 2026

UK: Northern Ireland holidays 2026

DateHolidayNote
New Year's Day
St Patrick's Day
Good Friday
Easter Monday
Early May bank holiday
Spring bank holiday
Battle of the Boyne (Orangemen's Day) (substitute day) July 12 is a Sunday
Summer bank holiday
Christmas Day
Boxing Day (substitute day) December 26 is a Saturday

UK: Northern Ireland holidays 2027

DateHolidayNote
New Year's Day
St Patrick's Day
Good Friday
Easter Monday
Early May bank holiday
Spring bank holiday
Battle of the Boyne (Orangemen's Day)
Summer bank holiday
Christmas Day (substitute day) December 25 is a Saturday
Boxing Day (substitute day) December 26 is a Sunday

UK: Northern Ireland holidays 2028

DateHolidayNote
New Year's Day (substitute day) January 1 is a Saturday
St Patrick's Day
Good Friday
Easter Monday
Early May bank holiday
Spring bank holiday
Battle of the Boyne (Orangemen's Day)
Summer bank holiday
Christmas Day
Boxing Day

About Northern Ireland’s public holidays

Northern Ireland adds St Patrick’s Day (17 March) and the Battle of the Boyne (12 July) to the England and Wales list.

In 2026, 10 holiday days are listed; 2 are taken on another day because the date falls on a weekend. 8 are taken on a Monday or Friday, making a three-day weekend.

Weekends and substitute days

When a bank holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, a substitute weekday (usually the following Monday, or Tuesday if Monday is already a holiday) is designated.

Legal basis: Banking and Financial Dealings Act 1971 (Schedule 1) and annual Royal Proclamations; St Andrew's Day Bank Holiday (Scotland) Act 2007; Good Friday and Christmas Day by common law (E&W, NI)..

Source

Dates were checked against this source on 2 November 2026. Governments can add or move holidays by proclamation; the source is authoritative.

Questions

How many public holidays does Northern Ireland have?
10 national holiday days in 2026, 10 national holiday days in 2027, 10 national holiday days in 2028, counting each day taken once.
What happens when a holiday falls on a weekend in Northern Ireland?
Battle of the Boyne (Orangemen's Day) on Sun, Jul 12, 2026: day off Mon, Jul 13; Boxing Day on Sat, Dec 26, 2026: day off Mon, Dec 28; Christmas Day on Sat, Dec 25, 2027: day off Mon, Dec 27; Boxing Day on Sun, Dec 26, 2027: day off Tue, Dec 28; New Year's Day on Sat, Jan 1, 2028: day off Mon, Jan 3. The rule: When a bank holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, a substitute weekday (usually the following Monday, or Tuesday if Monday is already a holiday) is designated.
Where do these dates come from?
From GOV.UK, checked on 2 November 2026. Legal basis: Banking and Financial Dealings Act 1971 (Schedule 1) and annual Royal Proclamations; St Andrew's Day Bank Holiday (Scotland) Act 2007; Good Friday and Christmas Day by common law (E&W, NI)..

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