The Republic has 10 public holidays each year, and there has long been talk of creating additional ones in order to bring us up to the European average of 12. About half predate independence, with four originally legislated for in 1871 and St Patrick’s Day added in 1903. Overall, the cost of a public holiday to the economy is put at about €350 million. This could be done, for instance, by making Good Friday a public holiday. Mother’s Day is a holiday in Georgia, while National Tree Planting Day is a public holiday in Kenya and Commerce Day is a day off in Iceland.

Source: The Irish Times April 11, 2026 10:02 UTC