Public holiday in Ireland
St. Brigid's Day in Ireland
Monday, February 2, 2026
Nationwide public holiday
St. Brigid's Day is a nationwide public holiday in Ireland that honours a figure associated with both early Irish Christianity and older seasonal customs. It marks the start of February and is now observed as a day off work and school for many people.
About St. Brigid's Day in Ireland
In Ireland, St. Brigid's Day is both a public holiday and a cultural marker for the start of February. Its place in the calendar reflects Brigid's long-standing significance in Irish tradition, which combines Christian devotion with older folk customs associated with spring and the changing season. Because it falls at the beginning of the month, the holiday also sits close to the normal return to routine after the Christmas and New Year period. For many people, its practical significance is simply as a February holiday in the national calendar, with the usual pause in weekday activity that comes with a public holiday.
History
St. Brigid is one of the best-known figures in Irish Christianity, and her feast day has long been observed in Ireland. Over time, the day also absorbed older seasonal associations linked with Imbolc, a traditional early-February festival marking the turn toward spring. The public holiday itself is a recent addition to the Irish calendar, introduced in 2023.
Traditions
Traditional customs associated with the day in Ireland include making St. Brigid's crosses from rushes and displaying them in homes or other buildings. Brigid's crosses are among the best-known symbols connected with the holiday. The day is also associated with seasonal customs and with the role of Brigid as a figure of protection and renewal in Irish tradition.
How St. Brigid's Day is celebrated in Ireland
In modern Ireland, the day is generally observed as a public holiday with reduced weekday activity and time set aside for rest or family plans. Cultural and community references to St. Brigid, and to the making of crosses or other seasonal customs, may appear in schools, churches and local events. Some years it coincides with the February bank holiday pattern, so the day is commonly treated as part of a short winter break rather than as a major nationwide festival.
Interesting facts
St. Brigid's Day is observed on 1 February in 2027 and on 2 February in 2026. It is one of Ireland's newer public holidays.
Dates in published calendars
| Year | Holiday date | Observed date | Scope |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 Feb 2026 | — | Nationwide |
Import sources
- Generic ICS feed
An import is not an independent verification.