If you’ve got school-age children in Ireland, you already know how quickly the school year fills up with term dates, mid-term breaks, and public holidays. The 2025/26 calendar is now confirmed, and there are a couple of dates worth flagging early — notably the new February bank holiday and how it slots around mid-term breaks. Here’s everything families need to plan ahead.

4 related posts

School Year: 2025-2026 · February Mid-Term Break: Primary schools, 2026 · Easter Holidays End: Friday March 27th 2026 · Term 3 Start: Monday April 13th 2026 · New Bank Holiday: St. Brigid’s Day 2023

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
  • Term 3 reopens Monday April 13, 2026 (Everymum)
  • Easter break ends Friday March 27, 2026 (Everymum)
  • Christmas break: Dec 19, 2025 – Jan 5, 2026 (Homeschool.ie)
2What’s unclear
  • Whether all Irish schools follow identical holiday dates or if individual schools have scheduling flexibility
  • Exact week counts for Term 3 vary by school level
3Timeline signal
  • February 2, 2026: St. Brigid’s Day bank holiday creates extended long weekend near mid-term break (Everymum)
  • March 17, 2026: Saint Patrick’s Day falls during final term stretch before Easter (Everymum)
4What’s next
  • Families should confirm exact mid-term dates directly with their school — post-primary and primary breaks don’t always align

The key dates families need to track for the 2025/26 academic year are summarized below.

Key date Details
Term 3 Reopen Monday April 13th 2026
Easter Last Day Friday March 27th 2026
February Mid-Term Primary schools 2026
New Holiday St. Brigid’s Day Feb 2
School Year 2025-2026

What are the school holidays in Ireland in 2025?

Irish school children get four main holiday blocks throughout the academic year. In October and February, schools close for a week-long mid-term break, while Christmas and Easter each stretch to two weeks off. Citizens Information confirms this structure forms the backbone of how schools organize the academic calendar.

Mid-term breaks

The October mid-term break for 2025 runs from Monday, October 27 to Friday, October 31, 2025 (Everymum, Homeschool.ie). This timing coincides with the October Bank Holiday on October 27, making it a natural five-day break. The February mid-term falls in a different position than October — February 17 to 21 for secondary schools in 2025, and February 20 to 21 (with optional extension) for primary schools. Families planning trips around these breaks should book early, as accommodation and travel costs typically spike during school holiday weeks.

Christmas holidays

Christmas 2025 school closure in Ireland begins Friday, December 19, 2025 and reopens Monday, January 5, 2026 (Everymum). This gives children just over two weeks away from the classroom. Christmas Day (Thursday, December 25) and St Stephen’s Day (Friday, December 26) both fall within the holiday period, meaning families get a solid block for celebrations without worrying about school commitments.

Why this matters

For working parents, the two-week Christmas and Easter breaks represent the longest childcare stretches of the school year. Planning leave or childcare arrangements early can make a significant difference in managing those extended periods.

Easter and summer

Easter 2026 brings schools to a close on Friday, March 27, 2026, with students returning Monday, April 13, 2026 (Everymum, Homeschool.ie). Easter Monday 2026 falls on April 6, giving families another long weekend mid-break. Irish primary schools typically close in the last week of June, ending around Friday, June 26, 2025, while secondary schools often finish earlier around Friday, May 29, 2025 to accommodate state examinations.

What is the school calendar in Ireland?

The Irish school year runs from September to late May or June, divided into three main terms with mid-term breaks punctuating each one. Homeschool.ie details the standard structure that most schools follow, though individual schools retain some flexibility in setting exact dates. School Terms 2025: Ireland Dates & Holidays Guide provides additional context on term-by-term breakdowns.

Primary and post-primary terms

Both primary and post-primary schools in the Republic of Ireland operate on a similar three-term structure. The academic year 2025/26 begins in early September 2025 and concludes in late May (secondary) or late June (primary). Mid-term breaks are scheduled at roughly eight-week intervals, creating natural checkpoints in the school year. The key distinction between primary and post-primary often comes down to how schools schedule their February mid-term — secondary schools typically get a full five-day break, while primary schools may have a shorter two-day closure with optional extension.

Key dates for 2025/26

The 2025/26 school year begins after summer holidays, with schools typically resuming in early September 2025. The October Bank Holiday (Monday, October 27, 2025) aligns with mid-term break week, creating a natural extended holiday. Christmas 2025 school closure begins Friday, December 19, 2025, with schools reopening Monday, January 5, 2026. February 2026 mid-term varies by school type, while Easter holidays begin Friday, March 27, 2026, with the new term starting Monday, April 13, 2026. The academic year rounds out with the May Bank Holiday on Monday, May 4, 2026, which falls in the final term before summer break.

Back to school timelines

Schools typically allow a one-week summer break gap between academic years, meaning most schools will resume sometime in late August or early September 2025. Parents should watch for confirmation from their school board closer to the date, as exact reopening dates can vary by institution. The key dates to mark in the calendar now are the mid-term breaks and major holiday periods, as these affect childcare arrangements most significantly throughout the year.

What date is mid-term break in February 2026?

The February 2026 mid-term break differs between primary and post-primary schools, creating potential confusion for families with children in both school types. Homeschool.ie outlines the varying schedules that schools follow during this period. Act Public Holidays – 2025 Dates Full List and Rules offers related context on Ireland’s public holiday schedule.

Primary school dates

Primary schools in Ireland typically have a shorter February mid-term break, lasting Thursday, February 19 and Friday, February 20, 2026, with an optional extension allowing schools to extend this to a full five-day break from Monday, February 16 to Friday, February 20. Families should check with their individual school to confirm whether their primary school follows the two-day or five-day model.

Secondary school alignment

Post-primary schools generally enjoy a full five-day mid-term break from Monday, February 16 to Friday, February 20, 2026. This means families with children in secondary school can plan for a proper week’s holiday, while those with primary school children may need to arrange additional childcare for the days before and after the core February 19-20 break. The implication is that families with multiple children across school types need to check each school’s calendar individually rather than assuming one holiday covers all children.

Long weekends

February 2026 features a bonus long weekend with St. Brigid’s Day on Monday, February 2, 2026 — a new bank holiday introduced in 2023. This creates an extended weekend running from Saturday, January 31 through Tuesday, February 3, 2026, for families who want to plan a short getaway before the mid-term break later that month.

The trade-off

The February calendar means families face two potential holiday periods within four weeks. Smart planning suggests using the St. Brigid’s Day weekend for a short break, then saving annual leave for the mid-term break itself rather than stretching resources across back-to-back trips.

How many weeks are in third term 2025?

Third term (Term 3) in Irish schools runs from early January to late March or early April, encompassing the post-Christmas recovery period and the final stretch before Easter. While exact week counts can vary by school, the structure generally provides around 11-13 weeks of instruction, with variations depending on whether schools schedule additional mid-term days or teacher training closures.

Term 3 duration Ireland

Term 3 begins when schools reopen in early January 2026 and continues until the Easter holidays start. For the 2025/26 academic year, schools reopen Monday, January 5, 2026, with Easter holidays beginning Friday, March 27, 2026. This creates a term lasting approximately 11-12 weeks, depending on exact school scheduling and any mid-term variations.

Easter break impact

The Easter break timing directly affects Term 3 length. Easter 2026 falls on Sunday, April 5, with Easter Monday on April 6, 2026 — meaning schools close on March 27 and reopen April 13. This creates a three-term structure where Term 1 (September-October) and Term 2 (November-December/January) run roughly 7-8 weeks each, while Term 3 extends slightly longer to accommodate the later Easter date. The pattern shows Easter timing varies each year, occasionally resulting in Term 3 being shorter or longer depending on when Easter falls in the calendar.

End of year dates

After Easter, Term 3 concludes and the school year enters its final stretch. For primary schools, the year typically ends around Friday, June 26, 2026, while secondary schools often finish earlier around Friday, May 29, 2026 to allow for state examination periods. The final bank holiday of the school year comes on the first Monday in June, marking the transition into summer.

What to watch

Northern Ireland schools follow a different calendar, with their mid-term falling on February 12-13 and Easter break from April 2-10. Families traveling across the border or coordinating with relatives in Northern Ireland should check the separate schedule before planning cross-border childcare or travel arrangements.

Is February 2, 2026 a holiday in Ireland?

Yes, February 2, 2026 falls on a Monday and is designated as St. Brigid’s Day, Ireland’s newest public bank holiday. Everymum confirms the holiday schedule includes this February date, creating a natural long weekend for families.

St. Brigid’s Day details

St. Brigid’s Day (Lá Fhéile Bríde) became an official public holiday in Ireland in 2023, joining the existing nine bank holidays. The holiday falls on February 1 each year, or the following Monday if February 1 falls on a weekend. In 2026, February 2 is a Monday, making it a straightforward public holiday. Schools and most businesses close for the day, giving families a mid-winter long weekend to break up the typically grey January-February stretch.

School impacts

As a public bank holiday, schools will be closed on Monday, February 2, 2026. However, whether the surrounding days (February 3-4 or February 1) become additional school holidays depends on individual school board decisions. Some schools may incorporate the holiday into a longer mid-winter break, while others return to normal schedules on February 3. The pattern: St. Brigid’s Day creates guaranteed closure on February 2, with the rest of the week dependent on local school decisions.

Long weekends in February

February 2026 has the potential for two long weekends — St. Brigid’s Day weekend (January 31-February 2) and the mid-term break (February 16-20 for secondary schools). Families who want to maximize time off should consider the St. Brigid’s Day long weekend for a short trip, then use the February mid-term break separately for a different activity.

Bottom line: St. Brigid’s Day on February 2, 2026 gives families a guaranteed holiday mid-month, but the February mid-term dates themselves vary by school type. Post-primary schools break February 16-20; primary schools typically close February 19-20. Families with children in different school levels should check each school calendar individually and plan childcare for any overlapping days where one child is off but the other isn’t.

Timeline of key school holidays 2025/26

Three holiday clusters stand out across the 2025/26 school year: autumn mid-term, Christmas, and Easter. Each period creates distinct planning challenges for working families. The Department of Education Northern Ireland publishes a separate schedule for schools across the border, highlighting how the Republic and Northern Ireland operate independent education systems despite sharing an island.

  • — Mid-term break primary/secondary
  • — Christmas holidays begin
  • — Schools reopen after Christmas
  • — St. Brigid’s Day bank holiday
  • — Mid-term break post-primary
  • — Saint Patrick’s Day
  • — Easter holidays begin
  • — Easter Monday
  • — Schools reopen after Easter (Term 3 starts)
  • — May Bank Holiday

Confirmed vs unclear: what we know and don’t know

The core holiday dates for the 2025/26 school year are well-established and confirmed across multiple education sources. However, some details remain less certain, particularly regarding school-level flexibility and specific week counts that vary by institution.

Confirmed facts

  • Christmas and Easter breaks each last two weeks in Irish schools
  • Mid-term breaks occur in October and February each year
  • St. Brigid’s Day is a new public holiday since 2023
  • February 2, 2026 falls on a Monday as a bank holiday
  • Easter 2026: schools close March 27, reopen April 13
  • October Bank Holiday falls on October 27, 2025

What’s unclear

  • Whether all Irish schools follow identical schedules or if individual schools have flexibility
  • Exact week counts for Term 3 may vary by school level
  • Whether primary schools extend February mid-term beyond February 19-20

The pattern suggests schools have discretion over when to schedule mid-term breaks within approved windows, meaning families should always verify dates with their specific school rather than relying on general calendars alone.

Schools have some flexibility in determining when mid-term breaks occur within the overall school year structure, but these must be approved by the school board and communicated to parents in advance.

— Citizens Information (Official government information service)

Individual schools may set their own term dates within the national guidelines, and parents should check directly with their school for the exact calendar for their children.

— Homeschool.ie (Education calendar resource)

For families navigating the 2025/26 school year, the practical takeaway is straightforward: mark the major holiday blocks in your calendar now — October 27-31, December 19 to January 5, and March 27 to April 13 — then confirm the specific February mid-term dates with each school. When it comes to childcare and travel planning, having the exact school calendar matters more than the general pattern. For parents comparing schools or planning around work schedules, the difference between a two-day and five-day February break can significantly affect annual leave planning.

Additional sources

theirishinsider.ie, ukpublicholidays.co.uk, primarytimes.co.uk, schooldays.ie, scribd.com, muswellbrook.catholic.edu.au, belmayneetss.ie

Term 3 in Ireland highlights the Easter school holidays 2025 Ireland, spanning a two-week Easter closure that ends on Friday, March 27 before reopening mid-April.

Don't miss these

Frequently asked questions

When does the school year 2025/26 start in Ireland?

Schools typically resume in late August or early September after the summer holiday. Exact start dates vary by school and school level, with primary schools often beginning a few days before secondary schools. Parents should check with their school board for the specific reopening date for their institution.

What are the Christmas school holidays 2025 Ireland?

Schools close on Friday, December 19, 2025 and reopen on Monday, January 5, 2026. This gives children approximately 16 days off from school, spanning Christmas Day (December 25) and St Stephen’s Day (December 26).

Are secondary schools closed same as primary in February 2026?

Not always. Post-primary schools typically close for a full five-day mid-term from February 16-20, 2026. Primary schools often have a shorter two-day break on February 19-20, with the option to extend to five days. Families with children in both school types should check each school’s calendar individually.

What public holidays are in Term 3 2025/26?

Term 3 spans January to April 2026. Public holidays during this term include St. Brigid’s Day (February 2), Saint Patrick’s Day (March 17), Easter Monday (April 6), and May Day (May 4, though this often falls after Term 3 concludes). Saint Patrick’s Day falls on a Tuesday, creating a natural bridge day, while Easter Monday provides a long weekend mid-holiday.

How does St. Brigid’s Day affect school calendars?

St. Brigid’s Day on February 2, 2026 is a public bank holiday, meaning schools will be closed. Whether this creates a longer mid-winter break depends on individual school decisions about the surrounding days. This is a relatively new holiday (introduced in 2023), so school policies around it may still be evolving.

What are summer holidays dates 2026 Ireland?

Irish primary schools typically close in late June, around Friday, June 26, 2026. Secondary schools usually finish earlier, around Friday, May 29, 2026, to accommodate state examination periods. The May Bank Holiday falls on the first Monday in June. Exact dates vary by school, so families should confirm with their specific institution.

Are there bank holidays in April 2026?

Yes. Easter Monday 2026 falls on April 6, creating a long weekend during the Easter school holidays. Schools are already closed for Easter during this period, so the bank holiday doesn’t extend the overall break — it simply falls within it. May Day on May 4 falls after most schools have finished for the academic year.