Last reviewed: August 26, 2026 · Holiday data: June 23, 2026
Northern Ireland observes 10 bank holidays in 2025: 10 fall on a weekday and 0 land on a weekend, leaving 251 working days across the year. The working week is Monday to Friday with a Saturday and Sunday weekend, the same as England and Wales; what changes is the bank holiday set.
How Northern Ireland differs from England & Wales
Northern Ireland observes every England and Wales bank holiday and layers two more on top: St Patrick's Day on 17 March and the Battle of the Boyne, also called Orangemen's Day, on 12 July. When either falls on a weekend, the bank holiday shifts to the following Monday. Nothing from the England and Wales set is dropped, so Northern Ireland has the longest bank holiday calendar of the four UK nations.
Added in Northern Ireland (2025)
St Patrick's Day (Monday, March 17)
Battle of the Boyne (observed) (Monday, July 14)
Not observed in Northern Ireland (2025)
Northern Ireland observes every England and Wales bank holiday and drops none.
Northern Ireland bank holiday calendar 2025
Date
Day
Bank holiday
Notes
January 1
Wednesday
New Year's Day
New Year's Day on Wednesday January 1 breaks the working week without an obvious adjacent-weekend bridge opportunity.
March 17
Monday
St Patrick's Day
St Patrick's Day on Monday March 17 produces a three-day weekend with the immediately preceding Saturday and Sunday.
April 18
Friday
Good Friday
Good Friday on Friday April 18 produces a three-day weekend with the immediately following Saturday and Sunday.
April 21
Monday
Easter Monday
Easter Monday on Monday April 21 produces a three-day weekend with the immediately preceding Saturday and Sunday.
May 5
Monday
Early May Bank Holiday
Early May Bank Holiday on Monday May 5 produces a three-day weekend with the immediately preceding Saturday and Sunday.
May 26
Monday
Spring Bank Holiday
Spring Bank Holiday on Monday May 26 produces a three-day weekend with the immediately preceding Saturday and Sunday.
July 14
Monday
Battle of the Boyne (observed)
Battle of the Boyne (observed) on Monday July 14 produces a three-day weekend with the immediately preceding Saturday and Sunday.
August 25
Monday
Summer Bank Holiday
Summer Bank Holiday on Monday August 25 produces a three-day weekend with the immediately preceding Saturday and Sunday.
December 25
Thursday
Christmas Day
Christmas Day on Thursday December 25 is a strong bridge-day candidate; many employers grant the Friday as discretionary leave to produce a four-day weekend.
December 26
Friday
Boxing Day
Boxing Day on Friday December 26 produces a three-day weekend with the immediately following Saturday and Sunday.
2025 summary
Total days
365
Weekend days
104
Bank holidays on weekdays
10
Working days
251
After subtracting 104 weekend days and 10 weekday-falling bank holidays, Northern Ireland has 251 working days in 2025. Contracts that cite "business days" in Northern Ireland usually mean the days banks are open, which is exactly this count.
How many bank holidays does Northern Ireland have in 2025?
Northern Ireland observes 10 bank holidays in 2025, of which 10 fall on a weekday. The complete list is in the table above.
How does Northern Ireland differ from England & Wales?
Northern Ireland observes every England and Wales bank holiday and layers two more on top: St Patrick's Day on 17 March and the Battle of the Boyne, also called Orangemen's Day, on 12 July. When either falls on a weekend, the bank holiday shifts to the following Monday. Nothing from the England and Wales set is dropped, so Northern Ireland has the longest bank holiday calendar of the four UK nations.
When are St Patrick's Day and the Battle of the Boyne in 2025?
In 2025, Northern Ireland's own bank holidays are: St Patrick's Day, Battle of the Boyne (observed). When 17 March or 12 July falls on a weekend, the bank holiday shifts to the following Monday.
How many working days does Northern Ireland have in 2025?
Northern Ireland has 251 working days in 2025, after subtracting 104 weekend days and 10 weekday-falling bank holidays.