Christmas Day in Ireland
Christmas Day is both a Christian feast and a public holiday in Ireland, observed on 25 December. For Catholics in Ireland it is also a holy day of obligation, while the Church of Ireland lists it among its principal holy days.[1][2]
Meaning and worship
Christmas celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ. The Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference identifies 25 December as a holy day of obligation in Ireland; the Church of Ireland names Christmas Day as a principal holy day and says Holy Communion is celebrated in cathedral and parish churches on such days.[2]
The date is also significant in Ireland’s civil calendar: the Workplace Relations Commission lists Christmas Day among the country’s ten annual public holidays. Christmas Eve is not a public holiday, according to the Commission’s separate Christmas-period guidance.[1]
Irish customs and festive food
A candle in the window on Christmas Eve is a well-known Irish custom. Christmas Day sea swims are another seasonal tradition, with Tourism Ireland describing swims around the island and naming the Forty Foot in County Dublin as one of the spots where people take part.[4]
A family meal is central to many Irish Christmas celebrations. Teagasc describes turkey and ham as staples of the Irish Christmas dinner, while noting that goose was the traditional choice before turkey became popular. Spiced beef is particularly associated with Cork and is eaten at Christmas around the island.[4][5]
Public holiday rights
The public holiday falls on 25 December each year. Employees are entitled to a public-holiday benefit, but this does not always mean a day off on Christmas Day: the employer chooses between a paid day off that day, a paid day off within a month, an extra day of annual leave, or an additional day’s pay.[1]
Full-time employees qualify for the benefit. Part-time employees qualify if they have worked at least 40 hours in the five weeks before the holiday. If Christmas Day falls on a day that is not normally a working day for the business, employees retain an entitlement to a benefit, but there is no automatic legal right to the next working day off.[1]
Closures and getting around
Christmas Day is unusually quiet for business in Ireland. Tourism Ireland advises that almost everything is closed and that public transport does not operate; taxis may be bookable, but travelers should arrange essential journeys and supplies ahead of time.[3]
Transport for Ireland’s Christmas service information lists no Christmas Day services for major bus operators, Irish Rail and Luas. Since schedules are published for particular Christmas periods, check the relevant operator’s current timetable before making plans.[6]
Frequently asked questions
When is Christmas Day in Ireland?
It is observed on 25 December each year and is one of Ireland’s ten public holidays.[1]
Do employees automatically get Christmas Day off?
No. Employees are entitled to a public-holiday benefit, but the employer determines which benefit applies. It may be a paid day off on the date, another paid day off within a month, extra annual leave, or additional pay.[1]
Is the next working day a substitute public holiday if Christmas falls on a weekend?
No automatic substitute day off is guaranteed. Employees retain a public-holiday benefit, but the Commission says there is no legal entitlement to the next working day off.[1]
Does public transport run on Christmas Day?
Sources and references
Sources used for Christmas Day in Ireland:
- Public Holidays- Workplace Relations Commission
- Catechetical Resources for Holy Days of Obligation- Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference
- Public holidays in Ireland- Tourism Ireland
- Irish Christmas traditions to get you in the holiday spirit- Tourism Ireland
- The story behind your Christmas turkey- Teagasc
- Christmas Services- Transport for Ireland