Thoughts?
The Green Party has renewed calls for Lá Fhéile Bríde, or St Brigid’s Day, to be made a Bank Holiday.
St Brigid’s Day falls on 1 February each year – a day celebrating Ireland’s only female patron saint – and has historically been celebrated as the first day of spring in Ireland with the festival of Imbolc.
Ireland currently has nine Bank Holidays each year, but the Green Party has called to introduce a 10th one to bridge the gap between New Year’s Day and St Patrick’s Day.
The government’s tourism recovery taskforce has previously called for consideration to be given to the merits of introducing an additional Bank Holiday into the calendar in Ireland.
Green Party Senator Pauline O’Reilly said there is a need for a new public holiday early in the year, and said Ireland’s oldest patron should be represented.
“Ireland has one of the fewest public holidays in Europe and in the world,” O’Reilly said.
“This time of year is also the longest period without a bank holiday, which stretches from St Stephen’s Day, 26 December, to St Patrick’s Day, 17 March.
“Four of our public holidays are dedicated to men – St Stephen’s Day, St Patrick’s Day, Easter Monday and Christmas Day. Many countries around the world celebrate a Women’s Day, yet Ireland has still to fully honour its oldest patron.
“It’s time to give Brigid her proper place in Ireland’s culture and celebrations and to give people a much-needed day to reflect and celebrate the coming of spring.”
Ireland’s current Bank Holidays for 2021 are listed below.
- 1 January – New Year’s Day
- 17 March – St Patrick’s Day
- 5 April – Easter Monday
- 3 May – May Bank Holiday
- 7 June – June Bank Holiday
- 2 August – August Bank Holiday
- 25 October – October Bank Holiday
- 25 December – Christmas Day
- 26 December – St Stephen’s Day
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