
Is Today a Bank Holiday? Ireland, UK & N. Ireland 2026
If you’ve ever woken up on a random Wednesday wondering whether the post office is closed or the shops might be shut, you’re not alone. Checking if today is a bank holiday in Ireland, the UK, or Northern Ireland is a common question — and the answer isn’t always the same across borders. As of Wednesday, 3 June 2026, none of these regions are observing a public holiday, but knowing how to verify any date quickly can save you a wasted trip.
Number of public holidays in Ireland (2026): 10 ·
October bank holiday in Ireland: Last Monday in October (26 Oct 2026) ·
Today’s status (3 June 2026): Not a holiday in Ireland ·
Number of bank holidays in England & Wales 2026: 8 ·
Number of bank holidays in Northern Ireland 2026: 10 ·
Official source for Ireland: citizensinformation.ie (Irish government service)
Quick Snapshot
- 10 public holidays per year (Citizens Information – Irish government service)
- Includes St. Brigid’s Day, St. Patrick’s Day, Easter Monday, May, June, August, October, Christmas, St. Stephen’s Day (Citizens Information – Irish government service)
- Official source: citizensinformation.ie (Irish government service) (Citizens Information – Irish government service)
- Check today: PublicHolidays.ie (holiday aggregator)
- Vary by nation (England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland) (GOV.UK (UK government bank holiday schedule))
- 8–10 holidays per year (GOV.UK (UK government bank holiday schedule))
- Official source: GOV.UK (UK government bank holiday schedule)
- Northern Ireland has extra holidays (St. Patrick’s Day, Battle of the Boyne) (GOV.UK (UK government bank holiday schedule))
- 10 bank holidays per year (nidirect (Northern Ireland government services))
- Includes UK-wide holidays plus St. Patrick’s Day and Battle of the Boyne (nidirect (Northern Ireland government services))
- Check nidirect (Northern Ireland government services) or gov.uk
- Search ‘is today a bank holiday’ on Google for local results (PublicHolidays.ie (Ireland))
- Visit PublicHolidays.ie (Ireland) or timeanddate.com (global holiday calendar)
- Use GOV.UK (UK) to see upcoming dates
- Bookmark official sources for quick reference (PublicHolidays.ie (Ireland))
The table below summarises the key differences and official sources for quick reference.
| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Number of public holidays in Ireland | 10 |
| Next public holiday in Ireland (after 3 June 2026) | October bank holiday (last Monday in October – 26 October 2026) |
| Official Irish government source | citizensinformation.ie |
| Official UK government source | gov.uk/bank-holidays |
| Today’s status (3 June 2026 – Ireland) | Not a public holiday |
| Today’s status (3 June 2026 – UK) | Not a bank holiday |
| Today’s status (3 June 2026 – Northern Ireland) | Not a bank holiday |
Is today a bank holiday in Ireland?
Answer: No. Wednesday, 3 June 2026 is not a public holiday in the Republic of Ireland. The most recent holiday was the June bank holiday on Monday, 1 June 2026, and the next is the August bank holiday on Monday, 3 August 2026. According to Danske Bank Ireland (financial institution holiday notice), the complete 2026 list includes: 2 February (St. Brigid’s Day), 17 March (St. Patrick’s Day), 6 April (Easter Monday), 4 May (May Day), 1 June (June bank holiday), 3 August (August bank holiday), 26 October (October bank holiday), 25 December (Christmas Day), 28 December (St. Stephen’s Day substitute), and 29 December (additional substitute).
Is today a bank holiday in Dublin?
- Dublin follows the Republic of Ireland public holiday schedule.
- 3 June 2026 is not a holiday in Dublin.
- All official bank holidays apply nationwide – no city‑specific differences.
Is tomorrow a bank holiday in Ireland?
- No – 4 June 2026 is a regular Thursday.
- The next holiday after 3 June is the August bank holiday (3 August 2026).
The pattern: Ireland’s public holidays are fixed by statute and published in advance. Citizens Information (Irish government service) states that there are 10 public holidays each year (increased from 9 in 2022 when St. Brigid’s Day was added).
The implication: for anyone in Ireland, normal business hours apply today. For banking matters, you may also need to log in online banking UK to check specific branch availability.
Is today a bank holiday in the UK?
Answer: No. 3 June 2026 is not a bank holiday in England, Wales, Scotland, or Northern Ireland. The GOV.UK (UK government bank holiday schedule) shows the next UK‑wide holiday is the Summer bank holiday on 31 August 2026. The Spring bank holiday fell on 25 May 2026, and the Early May bank holiday on 4 May 2026. All region‑specific holidays for 2026 are also published on that site.
Why is Monday a holiday in the UK?
- Many UK bank holidays are scheduled on Mondays to create long weekends.
- Examples: Early May bank holiday (first Monday in May), Spring bank holiday (last Monday in May), Summer bank holiday (last Monday in August – except Scotland where it’s first Monday).
- Other holidays like Good Friday (3 April 2026) and Christmas Day fall on fixed dates and may be moved to Monday if they land on a weekend.
Is today a bank holiday in England, Scotland, or Wales?
- England and Wales share the same 8 bank holidays in 2026.
- Scotland has 9 bank holidays (2 January is added).
- No region lists 3 June 2026 as a holiday.
The implication: if you’re in the UK and wondering whether the bank or post office is open today, you’re safe to assume normal operating hours. For any other date, gov.uk/bank-holidays is the definitive source.
Is today a bank holiday in Northern Ireland?
Answer: No. Northern Ireland’s 2026 bank holidays include 1 January, 17 March, 3 April, 6 April, 4 May, 25 May, 13 July, 31 August, 25 December, and 28 December. 3 June 2026 is not among them, as confirmed by both GOV.UK and nidirect (Northern Ireland government services). The extra holidays compared to England and Wales are St. Patrick’s Day (17 March) and Battle of the Boyne / Orangemen’s Day (12 July, with a substitute on 13 July 2026 because it falls on a Sunday).
Is it a bank holiday in Northern Ireland today?
- No – 3 June 2026 is not a holiday.
- The most recent NI bank holiday was 25 May 2026 (Spring bank holiday).
- The next is 13 July 2026 (Battle of the Boyne substitute).
What are the bank holidays in Northern Ireland 2026?
- 1 January (New Year’s Day)
- 17 March (St. Patrick’s Day)
- 3 April (Good Friday)
- 6 April (Easter Monday)
- 4 May (Early May bank holiday)
- 25 May (Spring bank holiday)
- 13 July (Battle of the Boyne substitute day)
- 31 August (Summer bank holiday)
- 25 December (Christmas Day)
- 28 December (Boxing Day substitute)
The catch: Northern Ireland observes the same UK‑wide bank holidays but adds two region‑specific ones, giving it 10 total. When a usual bank holiday falls on a weekend, a substitute weekday (usually Monday) is observed – as with Boxing Day in 2026.
What are the bank holidays in Ireland?
Ireland’s 10 public holidays for 2026 are listed below, drawn from the Danske Bank Ireland (financial institution holiday notice) and cross‑referenced with Citizens Information (Irish government service).
- 2 February – St. Brigid’s Day (first Monday in February)
- 17 March – St. Patrick’s Day
- 6 April – Easter Monday
- 4 May – May Day (first Monday in May)
- 1 June – June bank holiday (first Monday in June)
- 3 August – August bank holiday (first Monday in August)
- 26 October – October bank holiday (last Monday in October)
- 25 December – Christmas Day
- 28 December – St. Stephen’s Day (substitute – 26 December falls on a Saturday)
- 29 December – Additional substitute day (when Christmas and St. Stephen’s Day fall on consecutive weekends)
How many public holidays does Ireland have?
- 10 – increased from 9 in 2022 with the addition of St. Brigid’s Day.
- Official confirmation from Citizens Information.
Why this matters: unlike the UK term “bank holiday”, Ireland uses “public holiday” – the two are functionally identical for most purposes, though some differences exist in employment law (e.g., entitlements to paid leave on public holidays are broader in Ireland).
What is the October bank holiday in Ireland?
The October bank holiday in Ireland is always the last Monday in October. In 2026 that falls on 26 October. It is often associated with the October bank holiday weekend and the end of summer time (clocks go back the previous Sunday). There is occasional confusion because in 2025 it fell on 27 October, leading some to think the date is fixed. It is not – it moves annually. The Danske Bank Ireland list confirms 26 October 2026.
Why is 27 October a bank holiday?
- In 2025, the last Monday in October was 27 October.
- That date is year‑specific – not a permanent rule.
- In 2026, the last Monday is 26 October.
When is the October bank holiday in 2026?
- Monday, 26 October 2026.
- Check PublicHolidays.ie for future years.
The trade-off: the last‑Monday rule means the date shifts between 24 and 31 October. Always verify the exact date for the year you’re planning around. For calendar-related planning, you might also check when the clocks change in the UK, as the October holiday coincides with the end of summer time.
What we know – and what’s still unclear
Confirmed facts
- Ireland has 10 public holidays since 2022 (as per Citizens Information).
- The October bank holiday is always the last Monday in October (confirmed by Danske Bank Ireland).
- UK bank holidays are published annually by the government (GOV.UK).
- Northern Ireland has 10 bank holidays including two additional ones (nidirect).
- PublicHolidays.ie and timeanddate.com show today’s status reliably.
What’s unclear
- Exact date of future bank holidays beyond 2026 may shift slightly until officially announced (e.g., 2027).
- Whether a specific date like 27 October is a bank holiday depends on the year.
- Holiday status for other European countries is not covered in this article.
“Find out when bank holidays are in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland – including past and future bank holidays.”
– GOV.UK (UK government bank holiday schedule)
“There are 10 public holidays in Ireland each year (increased from 9 in 2022).”
– Citizens Information (Irish government service)
“Today – 3 June 2026 – is not a holiday in Ireland.”
– PublicHolidays.ie (holiday aggregator)
If you’re planning a trip or a bank visit, always cross‑check your specific region’s schedule — what applies in Dublin may not in Belfast. As of 3 June 2026, all three regions are operating normal business hours.
For anyone living in Ireland or the UK, the rule is simple: always check the official government list for your region before making plans that depend on bank holiday closures — otherwise you could be left standing outside a locked bank.
goodtuesday.com, qppstudio.net, ireland.com, bankofirelanduk.com
If you are in the UK, you can also check the complete UK bank holidays guide for 2026 and 2027.
Frequently asked questions
Is today a bank holiday in Europe?
This article focuses on Ireland and the UK. For other European countries, check timeanddate.com or your country’s government website. Most European nations have their own public holiday schedules that rarely align with Ireland or the UK.
What is the difference between a bank holiday and a public holiday in Ireland?
In Ireland, “public holiday” is the legal term used in employment law (e.g., the Organisation of Working Time Act). “Bank holiday” is a colloquial term widely used interchangeably. The UK formally uses “bank holiday” for holidays when banks close. Functionally, they mean the same thing for most people.
Is tomorrow a bank holiday in Ireland?
No. 4 June 2026 is not a public holiday in Ireland. The next holiday is the August bank holiday on 3 August 2026.
Is Monday 16th March a bank holiday?
16 March 2026 is a Monday. It is not a bank holiday anywhere in Ireland or the UK. St. Patrick’s Day (17 March) is a holiday in both Ireland and Northern Ireland, but the 16th is a regular working day.
Are shops open on bank holidays in Ireland?
Generally yes, but hours may be reduced. Many supermarkets, retail stores, and shopping centres stay open on bank holidays, often with Sunday‑like hours. Banks and post offices are typically closed. Always check with individual stores.
What happens if a bank holiday falls on a weekend in Ireland?
In Ireland, if a public holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, a substitute day is normally observed on the following Monday (or Tuesday if Monday is also a holiday). The exact rules are set out in the Organisation of Working Time Act and vary slightly by employer agreement.
How do I check if a specific date is a bank holiday in the UK?
Visit GOV.UK/bank-holidays and select your region (England & Wales, Scotland, or Northern Ireland). The page shows all past and future bank holidays. You can also download them as an ICS calendar file.