Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland Bank Holidays 2026
Northern Ireland has ten bank holidays in 2026 — the longest calendar in the UK, with St Patrick's Day in March and the Battle of the Boyne in July.
Reviewed for the 2026 holiday year
| Holiday | Date (2026) | Day | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day | 1 January 2026 | Thursday | — |
| St Patrick's Day | 17 March 2026 | Tuesday | — |
| Good Friday | 3 April 2026 | Friday | — |
| Easter Monday | 6 April 2026 | Monday | — |
| Early May bank holiday | 4 May 2026 | Monday | — |
| Spring bank holiday | 25 May 2026 | Monday | — |
| Battle of the Boyne (Orangemen's Day, substitute day) | 13 July 2026 | Monday | 12 July falls on a Sunday, so the holiday moves to Monday 13 July. |
| Summer bank holiday | 31 August 2026 | Monday | — |
| Christmas Day | 25 December 2026 | Friday | — |
| Boxing Day (substitute day) | 28 December 2026 | Monday | 26 December falls on a Saturday, so the holiday moves to Monday 28 December. |
The two extra Northern Ireland holidays
On top of the England and Wales calendar, Northern Ireland observes St Patrick's Day on Tuesday 17 March 2026 and the Battle of the Boyne, also called Orangemen's Day. As 12 July 2026 is a Sunday, the July holiday is taken on Monday 13 July 2026.
July closures and the summer period
Around the July holiday, many businesses in Northern Ireland close for a longer period, and transport, waste collections and public services frequently run amended schedules. Plan appointments, deliveries and banking tasks either side of that week.
Working across the border
Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland have separate holiday calendars. If you work or trade cross-border, expect days when one side is closed and the other is open — St Patrick's Day is a holiday on both sides, but the Battle of the Boyne is not.
Banking on Northern Ireland holidays
Northern Ireland bank holidays: FAQs
How many bank holidays does Northern Ireland have in 2026?
Northern Ireland has 10 bank holidays in 2026, the most of any UK nation, because it observes St Patrick's Day and the Battle of the Boyne in addition to the England and Wales dates.
When is St Patrick's Day 2026 in Northern Ireland?
St Patrick's Day is Tuesday 17 March 2026 and is a bank holiday in Northern Ireland only.
When is the Battle of the Boyne bank holiday in 2026?
12 July 2026 falls on a Sunday, so the Battle of the Boyne (Orangemen's Day) bank holiday is observed on Monday 13 July 2026.
Are Northern Ireland bank holidays the same as the Republic of Ireland's?
No. The Republic of Ireland sets its own public holidays, which include dates such as the June and October holidays that do not apply in Northern Ireland.