Bank Holidays Northern Ireland 2026

Northern Ireland has 10 statutory bank holidays in 2026 — the most in the UK, adding St Patrick's Day and the Battle of the Boyne to the standard calendar. Full dates, pay rules and planning tips.

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Mustafa Bilgic
Reviewed by Mustafa Bilgic · UK Calculator Editor ·

The 10 Northern Ireland bank holidays in 2026

Northern Ireland has 10 statutory bank holidays in 2026 — the most of any UK nation (England & Wales have 8, Scotland has 9). NI observes everything England does plus St Patrick's Day and the Battle of the Boyne. All dates are set under the Banking and Financial Dealings Act 1971 and NI-specific proclamations.

Date 2026DayHolidayNotes
1 Jan 2026ThursdayNew Year's DayUK-wide
17 Mar 2026TuesdaySt Patrick's DayNI only
3 Apr 2026FridayGood FridayUK-wide
6 Apr 2026MondayEaster MondayNot in Scotland
4 May 2026MondayEarly May Bank HolidayUK-wide
25 May 2026MondaySpring Bank HolidayUK-wide
13 Jul 2026MondayBattle of the Boyne (substitute)NI only — 12 Jul falls on a Sunday
31 Aug 2026MondaySummer Bank HolidayLate Monday (as England)
25 Dec 2026FridayChristmas DayUK-wide
28 Dec 2026MondayBoxing Day (substitute)26 Dec is a Saturday → moved

The two NI-only days — St Patrick's Day (17 March) and the Battle of the Boyne (observed 13 July 2026) — are why Northern Ireland tops the UK bank holiday table. The Twelfth is moved to Monday 13 July because 12 July 2026 is a Sunday.

St Patrick's Day & the Twelfth — the two NI-only holidays

St Patrick's Day — Tuesday 17 March 2026

St Patrick's Day marks Ireland's patron saint and is a public holiday across the island of Ireland. In Northern Ireland it is a statutory bank holiday; in England, Wales and Scotland it is a normal working day. Expect parades in Belfast, Armagh (the ecclesiastical capital) and Downpatrick. Banks and most public offices close; many shops open with holiday hours.

Battle of the Boyne / Orangemen's Day — observed Monday 13 July 2026

"The Twelfth" commemorates the 1690 Battle of the Boyne and is the largest cultural event in the unionist calendar, with Orange Order parades across NI. The set date is 12 July, but because that is a Sunday in 2026 the bank holiday moves to Monday 13 July 2026. Many businesses in NI close for several days around the Twelfth.

Pay rights — working a bank holiday in Northern Ireland 2026

Employment law in NI mirrors the rest of the UK for bank holiday pay (Working Time Regulations (NI) 2016, Employment Rights (NI) Order 1996):

Work out exact figures with our Bank Holiday Pay Calculator 2026 or the Holiday Entitlement Calculator.

Long-weekend planner — Northern Ireland 2026

PeriodAnnual leave daysTotal break
St Patrick's (Mar)4 (Wed–Mon around 17 Mar)Up to 5 days with one bridging day
Easter (Apr)4 (Tue–Fri 7–10 Apr)10 days (Fri 3 Apr – Sun 12 Apr)
Early May4 (Tue–Fri 28 Apr–1 May)9 days (Sat 25 Apr – Mon 4 May)
The Twelfth (Jul)4 (Tue–Fri 14–17 Jul)9 days (Sat 11 Jul – Sun 19 Jul)
Summer BH (Aug)4 (Tue–Fri 25–28 Aug)9 days (Sat 22 Aug – Sun 30 Aug)

NI bank holidays vs the rest of the UK — 2026

HolidayN. IrelandEngland/WalesScotland
New Year's Day✓ Thu 1 Jan✓✓
2nd January——✓ Fri 2 Jan
St Patrick's Day✓ Tue 17 Mar——
Good Friday✓ Fri 3 Apr✓✓
Easter Monday✓ Mon 6 Apr✓—
Early May BH✓ Mon 4 May✓✓
Spring BH✓ Mon 25 May✓✓
Battle of the Boyne✓ Mon 13 Jul——
Summer BH✓ Mon 31 Aug✓ 31 Aug✓ 3 Aug
St Andrew's Day——✓ Mon 30 Nov
Christmas Day✓ Fri 25 Dec✓✓
Boxing Day (sub.)✓ Mon 28 Dec✓✓
Total 20261089

Frequently asked questions

How many bank holidays are there in Northern Ireland in 2026?
Northern Ireland has 10 bank holidays in 2026 — the most of any UK nation. They are New Year's Day (1 Jan), St Patrick's Day (17 Mar), Good Friday (3 Apr), Easter Monday (6 Apr), Early May (4 May), Spring (25 May), Battle of the Boyne substitute (13 Jul), Summer (31 Aug), Christmas Day (25 Dec) and Boxing Day substitute (28 Dec).
Why does Northern Ireland have 2 more bank holidays than England?
Northern Ireland observes two additional public holidays that England, Wales and Scotland do not: St Patrick's Day (17 March) and the Battle of the Boyne / Orangemen's Day (12 July, observed Monday 13 July in 2026). These reflect NI's distinct cultural and historical calendar.
When is the Battle of the Boyne bank holiday in 2026?
The Battle of the Boyne (Orangemen's Day) falls on 12 July, but in 2026 that is a Sunday, so the bank holiday is observed on the substitute day Monday 13 July 2026.
Is St Patrick's Day a bank holiday in Northern Ireland in 2026?
Yes. St Patrick's Day on Tuesday 17 March 2026 is a statutory bank holiday in Northern Ireland (but not in England, Wales or Scotland, where it is a normal working day).
Do I get extra pay for working a bank holiday in Northern Ireland?
Only if your employment contract specifies enhanced pay (time-and-a-half, double-time, etc.). There is no UK-wide statutory right to a bank holiday premium — NI follows the same Employment Rights framework as the rest of the UK. Use our Bank Holiday Pay Calculator for exact figures.
Are Northern Ireland bank holidays the same as the Republic of Ireland?
No. Northern Ireland (part of the UK) follows the UK bank holiday system with 10 days in 2026. The Republic of Ireland has its own separate public holiday calendar (e.g. October Bank Holiday, February St Brigid's Day) which does not apply in NI.
Are bank holidays included in my 28 days annual leave in Northern Ireland?
Your employer can lawfully include bank holidays within the statutory 5.6-week (28-day) minimum leave. NI workers with more bank holidays should check whether their contract grants leave 'including' or 'plus' bank holidays — the wording determines your total entitlement.
Are banks and shops closed on NI bank holidays?
Major retail banks close branches on all 10 NI bank holidays (ATMs and online banking continue). Most supermarkets open with reduced hours except Christmas Day. St Patrick's Day and the Twelfth (13 Jul) see large public events, parades and many local closures.

Official UK Sources

Last reviewed: May 2026 against gov.uk and nidirect official 2026 calendars.

Related calculators & guides

UK Bank Holidays 2026 — All Dates England Bank Holidays 2026 Scotland Bank Holidays 2026 Wales Bank Holidays 2026 Bank Holiday Pay Calculator 2026 Holiday Entitlement Calculator
Quick answer: Northern Ireland has 10 bank holidays in 2026: New Year's Day (Thu 1 Jan), St Patrick's Day (Tue 17 Mar), Good Friday (Fri 3 Apr), Easter Monday (Mon 6 Apr), Early May (Mon 4 May), Spring (Mon 25 May), Battle of the Boyne substitute (Mon 13 Jul), Summer (Mon 31 Aug), Christmas Day (Fri 25 Dec) and Boxing Day substitute (Mon 28 Dec).