June Bank Holiday in Ireland (First Monday in June)
When is First Monday in June in Ireland?
First Monday in June in Ireland is on June 2, 2025. It falls on Monday.
How many days until First Monday in June in Ireland?
There are 191 Days left until First Monday in June in Ireland.
Is First Monday in June a public holiday in Ireland?
June Bank Holiday (commonly known as Lá Saoire i mí Mheitheamh in the Irish language), is a public holiday in Ireland held on the first Monday of June every year. The holiday is originally observed as Whit Monday, or Pentecost Monday, a day celebrated after Pentecost. Since the holiday’s change from Whit Monday to the June Bank Holiday in 1973, so does its way of celebration. Today, rather than celebrating it religiously, the events observed by the Irish during the day are now secular in nature. Although Ireland’s June Bank Holiday is a movable celebration which varies every year, its observance is consistently held every first Monday of June.
June Bank Holiday Origin
From Whitmonday to June Bank Holiday in Ireland
In Ireland, the first Monday of June was formerly celebrated with a different holiday called Whit Monday (also known as Pentecost Monday). Whit Monday is a holiday observed the day after Pentecost Sunday or Whitsunday. Pentecost or Whitsunday commemorates the time when the Holy Spirit descended upon the disciples of Christ and marks the end of the Easter season. Whit Monday became a public holiday in Ireland when the country was still part of the United Kingdom. Currently, only the Northern Ireland remains part of the UK. As a holiday with religious connotations, religious activities are also typically observed by the Irish in the previous years.
When did June Bank Holiday become a public holiday in Ireland?
Years later, after Ireland separated from the UK, the Irish government decided to repackage the holiday. Following the country’s Holidays (Employees) Act 1973, the Whit Monday holiday was rebranded and renamed as the First Monday in June instead. The First Monday in June is dubbed as June Bank Holiday in Ireland. This alteration of the holiday took place in 1973, and the following year, in 1974, the Irish people have celebrated June Bank Holiday for the first time. Today, the June Bank Holiday has become a festive holiday for the Irish, with numerous activities observed during its celebration.
June Bank Holiday Activities in Ireland
June Bank Holiday has currently become one of the most awaited holidays in Ireland. The reason is the fact that many of the country’s most festive and exciting events are held on this day. As a public holiday, majority of the country’s companies usually suspend the day’s operation. Banks, public/government offices, schools, and universities would also close. June Bank Holiday is a non-working day for the majority, and Ireland offers many fun activities to celebrate it. The most common activities include festival visits, sporting events, and other outdoor activities like picnics, barbecues, etc.
Cork Harbour Festival
In Ireland, plenty of festivals are typically organized leading up to their celebration of the June Bank Holiday. These festivals are one of the reasons why the month of June is popular in the country. The Cork Harbour Festival (held at the south coast of Ireland) is one of the most famous festivals in Ireland, occurring for several days and covering the June Bank Holiday. This festival offers several entertainments, attracting many Irish families to have their holiday spent there. Activities offered include kayaking, boat tours, boat exhibition, crab fishing, seaweed foraging, scuba diving, family orienteering, and many other activities (both water-related and land activities).
The Vantastival
The Vantastival, a family-friendly music festival, is also popular. It is an event featuring various talented musicians and performers. Aside from music, this festival highlights other things like food stalls, art-related activities, and kids’ entertainment, which is the reason why it has become a popular choice for the Irish to spend the holiday with.
The Carrick Carnival
In addition to June Festivals list in Ireland, the Carrick Carnival, which is a 10-day festival, is another Irish festival visited by many people during the holiday’s celebration. This festival is held beginning on the June Bank Holiday at the Carrick-on-Shannon Co Leitrim and provides a mixture of various entertaining activities. These entertainments include fireworks display, air displays, dance shows, street parades, and even fun racing (e.g. balls racing, pigs racing, and homemade rafts racing). The festival began in 2013 and since then, it gained popularity among the Irish, becoming one of the best places to go to for the holiday’s celebration.
Ireland BikeFest Killarney
The Ireland BikeFest Killarney is another sporting activity also held around the holiday’s weekend. This is a three-day event organized in the country with a charitable purpose as well. Currently, this motorcycle festival has become the country’s largest free open biker festival, which welcomes not just participants from Ireland but even from the international world.
VHI Women's Mini Marathon
Sporting events are also typical in Ireland during the June Bank Holiday’s observance. The VHI Women's Mini Marathon held in Dublin is an example. The marathon is organized for a charitable cause, so during the event, the participants can decide which charity they would like to support. At present, this marathon has attracted thousands of Irish women participants as well as many spectators from across the country.
Enjoying the summer season
Ireland’s June Bank Holiday is celebrated during the country’s summer season. It is the time of the year when everything around the country is vibrant, which in turn, makes many Irish families to spend the day outdoors. Camping, picnics, going to the beaches, and visiting the parks are among the popular choices. The Fota Wildlife Park is one of the most famous parks visited during the holiday. Others would indulge themselves over some tasty barbecues too. June Bank Holiday, which is observed on the first Monday of June, gives the Irish people a longer weekend. And considering the warm, yet pleasant breeze of June, a lot of them usually spend this day outside, with their families, friends, or significant others.
| Year | Date | Day | Holiday |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | June 02 | Monday | First Monday in June |
| 2026 | June 01 | Monday | First Monday in June |
| 2027 | June 07 | Monday | First Monday in June |
| 2028 | June 05 | Monday | First Monday in June |
| 2029 | June 04 | Monday | First Monday in June |
| 2030 | June 03 | Monday | First Monday in June |
| Holiday | Date |
|---|---|
| Christmas Day | December 25, 2024 |
| St. Stephen's Day | December 26, 2024 |
| Christmas Bank Holiday | December 27, 2024 |
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