Last reviewed: August 26, 2026 · Holiday data: June 23, 2026
Northern Ireland observes 10 bank holidays in 2026: 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 (2026)
St Patrick's Day (Tuesday, March 17)
Battle of the Boyne (observed) (Monday, July 13)
Not observed in Northern Ireland (2026)
Northern Ireland observes every England and Wales bank holiday and drops none.
Northern Ireland bank holiday calendar 2026
Date
Day
Bank holiday
Notes
January 1
Thursday
New Year's Day
New Year's Day on Thursday January 1 is a strong bridge-day candidate; many employers grant the Friday as discretionary leave to produce a four-day weekend.
March 17
Tuesday
St Patrick's Day
St Patrick's Day on Tuesday March 17 is a bridge-day candidate; the Monday is sometimes granted as discretionary leave to produce a four-day weekend.
April 3
Friday
Good Friday
Good Friday on Friday April 3 produces a three-day weekend with the immediately following Saturday and Sunday.
April 6
Monday
Easter Monday
Easter Monday on Monday April 6 produces a three-day weekend with the immediately preceding Saturday and Sunday.
May 4
Monday
Early May Bank Holiday
Early May Bank Holiday on Monday May 4 produces a three-day weekend with the immediately preceding Saturday and Sunday.
May 25
Monday
Spring Bank Holiday
Spring Bank Holiday on Monday May 25 produces a three-day weekend with the immediately preceding Saturday and Sunday.
July 13
Monday
Battle of the Boyne (observed)
Battle of the Boyne (observed) on Monday July 13 produces a three-day weekend with the immediately preceding Saturday and Sunday.
August 31
Monday
Summer Bank Holiday
Summer Bank Holiday on Monday August 31 produces a three-day weekend with the immediately preceding Saturday and Sunday.
December 25
Friday
Christmas Day
Christmas Day on Friday December 25 produces a three-day weekend with the immediately following Saturday and Sunday.
December 28
Monday
Boxing Day (observed)
Boxing Day (observed) on Monday December 28 produces a three-day weekend with the immediately preceding Saturday and Sunday.
2026 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 2026. 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 2026?
Northern Ireland observes 10 bank holidays in 2026, 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 2026?
In 2026, 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 2026?
Northern Ireland has 251 working days in 2026, after subtracting 104 weekend days and 10 weekday-falling bank holidays.