Northern Ireland Bank Holidays 2026
Northern Ireland has 10 bank holidays in 2026, the most of any UK region. In addition to the bank holidays shared with England and Wales, Northern Ireland observes St Patrick’s Day and the Battle of the Boyne (Orangemen’s Day).
Bank Holidays in Northern Ireland 2026
| Date | Day | Holiday |
|---|---|---|
| 1 January | Thursday | New Year’s Day |
| 17 March | Tuesday | St Patrick’s Day |
| 3 April | Friday | Good Friday |
| 6 April | Monday | Easter Monday |
| 4 May | Monday | Early May Bank Holiday |
| 25 May | Monday | Spring Bank Holiday |
| 13 July | Monday | Battle of the Boyne (Orangemen’s Day) |
| 31 August | Monday | Summer Bank Holiday |
| 25 December | Friday | Christmas Day |
| 28 December | Monday | Boxing Day (substitute) |
Northern Ireland-Specific Bank Holidays
St Patrick’s Day (17 March): St Patrick’s Day is a bank holiday only in Northern Ireland. In 2026, it falls on a Tuesday.
Battle of the Boyne (12 July): Also known as Orangemen’s Day, this commemorates the Battle of the Boyne in 1690. In 2026, 12 July falls on a Sunday, so the bank holiday is observed on Monday 13 July.
How Northern Ireland Differs from Other Regions
Northern Ireland shares most bank holidays with England and Wales, but has two additional days: St Patrick’s Day and the Battle of the Boyne. Unlike Scotland, Northern Ireland observes Easter Monday and has the summer bank holiday on the last Monday of August rather than the first Monday.
Substitute Days
When the Battle of the Boyne (12 July) falls on a weekend, a substitute day is given. In 2026, 12 July is a Sunday, so the substitute bank holiday is Monday 13 July. Boxing Day (26 December) also falls on a Saturday in 2026, with the substitute on Monday 28 December.