Public Holiday Entitlement (Ireland)
Updated November 2026 · Free · No sign-up
Calculate Irish public holiday entitlements — for each of the 10 holidays, employers choose: a paid day off, an additional day of leave, an extra day’s pay, or (part-timers’ staple) one-fifth of the normal weekly pay.
Quick answer: Ireland’s 10 public holidays each trigger ONE of: a paid day off that day, a paid day within a month, an extra day of annual leave, or an additional day’s pay. Part-timers qualify after 40 hours in the preceding 5 weeks — and the not-normally-scheduled get 1/5 of their weekly pay.
The Entitlement Options
For each holiday, the EMPLOYER selects one: (a) paid day off on the day; (b) paid day off within a month; (c) an additional day of annual leave; (d) an additional day’s pay. Working the holiday → (b), (c), or (d) applies ON TOP of pay for hours worked — Ireland doesn’t mandate a premium RATE, it mandates the extra entitlement (confusing employers from premium-rate systems).
The Key Computations
| Normally scheduled, day off given | The day, fully paid |
| Working it | Hours worked at normal pay + an extra day’s pay / leave day / later day off |
| Not normally scheduled | 1/5 of the normal weekly pay (the part-timer rule) |
| Part-time qualifier | 40 hours worked in the 5 weeks before the holiday |
Worked Examples
Example 1 — €700 week, holiday on your Monday. Paid Monday off, or working it: Monday’s pay + an extra €140 (1/5) equivalent per the chosen option.
Example 2 — part-timer off Mondays. Qualified (40+ hrs/5 wks) but Mondays aren’t yours: €140 (1/5 of €700) for each Monday holiday — the entitlement people never claim.
Example 3 — unqualified casual. 28 hours in the prior 5 weeks: no entitlement this holiday — the 40-hour gate.
The 10 Holidays and Edges
New Year’s, St Brigid’s (Feb — the 2023 addition), St Patrick’s, Easter Monday, May/June/August bank holidays, October bank holiday, Christmas, St Stephen’s. Good Friday is NOT a public holiday (church-closing custom confuses). Ending employment: holidays falling within a week of dismissal can still owe pay (the final-week rule) — a quirk worth checking in exit math.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the Irish public holiday options?
Per holiday, employers grant one of: the paid day off, a paid day within a month, an extra annual-leave day, or an extra day’s pay — working it earns hours PLUS one of these.
What is the 1/5 rule?
Employees not normally scheduled for the holiday’s weekday receive one-fifth of their normal weekly pay — the part-timer entitlement most never claim.
Do part-time workers qualify for public holidays?
After 40 hours worked in the five weeks before the holiday — then the day-off or 1/5 rules apply by schedule.
Is there premium pay for working Irish holidays?
No statutory premium RATE — the law grants the additional day/pay entitlement on top of normal pay; contracts often add premiums.
Is Good Friday a public holiday?
No — widespread closures are custom; the statutory list is the 10 including St Brigid’s Day.
✓ Formula verified • Last updated: November 3, 2026