Ireland School Holidays 2026
Looking for Ireland school holidays 2026? You'll find the complete 2026 school calendar for Ireland, Ireland right here — including all term dates, school holiday periods, public holidays, and important academic dates. Our data is sourced from Department of Education (Ireland) and covers 3 terms and 5 school breaks. Whether you're planning family travel during the school holidays, booking vacation care, or need to know when the 2026 school year starts and ends, this comprehensive Ireland school holiday calendar has everything you need.
Officially published, but dates may vary by sub-region or individual school. Confirm with your local school. Last verified: Sep 6, 2026.
October Mid-Term Break
Oct 26 – Oct 30, 2026
Ireland Term Dates 2026
| Name | Start Date | End Date | Days | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Autumn Term | 83 days | Schools reopen in late August. Exact start date varies by school (typically Aug 27-31). | ||
| Spring Term | 53 days | Schools reopen after Christmas on January 6, 2027. | ||
| Summer Term | 60 days | After Easter. Primary schools typically end June 30; post-primary schools end around June 4-5. |
Ireland School Holidays 2026
| Name | Start Date | End Date | Days | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| October Mid-Term Break | 5 days | All schools close from Monday 26 October to Friday 30 October 2026. | ||
| Christmas Holidays | 15 days | Schools close on December 22, 2026 and reopen on January 6, 2027. | ||
| February Mid-Term Break | 5 days | Post-primary: Mon 15 Feb to Fri 19 Feb. Primary: Thu 18 Feb to Fri 19 Feb (may extend to 5 days using discretionary days). | ||
| Easter Holidays | 17 days | Schools close on Friday 19 March and reopen on Monday 5 April 2027. | ||
| Summer Holidays | 58 days | Primary schools: starts late June. Post-primary: starts early June. All schools return late August. |
Ireland Public Holidays 2026
| Name | Start Date | End Date | Days | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Christmas Day | 1 days | — | ||
| St Stephen's Day | 1 days | — | ||
| New Year's Day | 1 days | — | ||
| St Brigid's Day | 1 days | — | ||
| St Patrick's Day | 1 days | — | ||
| Easter Monday | 1 days | — | ||
| First Monday in May | 1 days | — | ||
| June Bank Holiday | 1 days | — | ||
| August Bank Holiday | 1 days | — |
Ireland School 2026 Calendar — Month by Month
January 2026
February 2026
March 2026
April 2026
May 2026
June 2026
July 2026
August 2026
September 2026
October 2026
November 2026
December 2026
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Detailed 2026 Ireland School Year Information
Autumn Term
Fri, Aug 28, 2026 – Tue, Dec 22, 2026
Schools reopen in late August. Exact start date varies by school (typically Aug 27-31).
Spring Term
Wed, Jan 6, 2027 – Fri, Mar 19, 2027
Schools reopen after Christmas on January 6, 2027.
Summer Term
Mon, Apr 5, 2027 – Wed, Jun 30, 2027
After Easter. Primary schools typically end June 30; post-primary schools end around June 4-5.
Ireland School Holidays 2026 — Key Dates
These Ireland school holiday dates for 2026 are sourced directly from Department of Education (Ireland). Irish school year is standardized across all primary and post-primary schools. The Department of Education sets the minimum school year at 183 days for primary and 167 days for post-primary schools. The 2026-2027 academic year runs from late August 2026 to late June 2027.
Planning Tips for 2026 Ireland School Holidays
🏛️ Circulars standardise the big breaks
The Department of Education fixes Christmas, February mid-term and Easter dates by circular covering all recognised primary and post-primary schools; October mid-term is standard too.
🏫 Start and summer dates are school-chosen
Schools open in the week of 1 September and close in late June at their own discretion within Departmental rules — two schools in the same town can differ by days.
☘️ February mid-term differs by sector
Post-primary schools take the full week of the February mid-term; primary schools take two days (Thursday-Friday) with an option to extend using discretionary days.
✈️ Easter is the pivot of the year
Because Easter moves, the second term's length changes each year — the circular guarantees breaks but not term lengths. Families often anchor trips to the fixed October and Christmas breaks instead.
Source & Data Accuracy
Data source: Department of Education (Ireland)
Last updated: September 8, 2026
Officially published, but dates may vary by sub-region or individual school. Confirm with your local school. Last verified: Sep 6, 2026.
Note: Irish school year is standardized across all primary and post-primary schools. The Department of Education sets the minimum school year at 183 days for primary and 167 days for post-primary schools. The 2026-2027 academic year runs from late August 2026 to late June 2027.
Ireland School Holidays 2026 — Frequently Asked Questions
What are the Irish school holidays for 2026-2027?
Irish school holidays for the 2026-2027 academic year include October Mid-Term (October 26-30, 2026), Christmas Holidays (December 22, 2026 – January 5, 2027), February Mid-Term (February 15-19, 2027), Easter Holidays (March 19 – April 4, 2027), and Summer Holidays (from late June 2027).
When does the 2026-2027 school year start in Ireland?
The 2026-2027 academic year in Ireland starts in late August 2026, typically around August 27-28. Schools reopen after Christmas on January 6, 2027.
How long is the summer holiday in Ireland?
The summer holiday in Ireland is approximately 8-9 weeks for primary schools (late June to late August) and about 12 weeks for post-primary schools (early June to late August).
How many school holidays are there in 2026?
Most school systems have 4-6 major holiday periods throughout the year, typically including a long summer break, a winter/Christmas break, and shorter mid-term breaks in spring and autumn. The exact number depends on your country and region.
What is the longest school holiday?
The summer holiday is typically the longest school break worldwide. In Australia, it lasts about 5-6 weeks (December-January). In the UK, the summer break is approximately 6 weeks (July-August). In the US, summer break is the longest at 10-12 weeks (June-August). In Singapore, the year-end holidays last about 6 weeks.
Are school holidays the same across all states or regions?
No. School holiday dates vary by state, region, and sometimes even by individual school district or local council. While neighbouring areas often have similar schedules, you should always check the specific dates for your local area.
Can I take my child out of school during term time?
Rules vary by country. In the UK, taking children out of school during term time without authorization can result in fines. In Australia, it is generally discouraged but policies vary by state. In the US, policies are set by individual school districts. Always check with your school before planning term-time absences.
Do private schools have different holiday dates?
Yes, private and independent schools often set their own term dates, which may differ from government/public schools. However, most private schools follow similar schedules to nearby public schools, with minor variations. Check directly with your school for exact dates.
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