No. Good Friday is not a statutory public holiday in Ireland. Employees do not receive the statutory public holiday benefit solely because it is Good Friday, but their own employment terms may provide paid leave, closure or enhanced pay.
Why Good Friday is different
Ireland has a defined list of ten statutory public holidays. Easter Monday is on that list; Good Friday is not. A business closing on Good Friday does not by itself turn the day into a statutory public holiday.
Check the contract and workplace rules
A contract can provide more favourable leave or pay than the statutory minimum. Collective agreements, Employment Regulation Orders and established workplace arrangements can also affect particular sectors or employees. Look for wording about Good Friday, company holidays, religious holidays or closure days.
Pay if you work on Good Friday
There is no universal statutory Good Friday premium. Pay is normally governed by the agreed rate and any contractual, collective or sector-specific premium. Sunday rules apply only if Good Friday happens to be worked under another relevant arrangement; Good Friday itself creates no Sunday or public holiday status.
If the workplace closes
Ask how the closure will be recorded: a paid company day, annual leave, unpaid time, a rostered day off or another arrangement. An employer should not silently deduct annual leave without applying the relevant leave and contract rules.
Good Friday and Easter Monday
A workplace closes on both Friday and Monday. Friday may be a contractual paid closure day, while Monday is the statutory public holiday. The two days can therefore have different payroll and leave treatment.
Check a real public holiday
For one of the ten statutory dates, check whether you qualify for the employee benefit.
Open the entitlement calculatorFrequently asked questions
Is Good Friday a bank holiday in Ireland?
No. Good Friday is not a statutory public holiday in Ireland.
Do I get paid extra for working Good Friday?
There is no universal statutory Good Friday premium. Check your contract, collective agreement or sectoral rules.
Can my employer close on Good Friday?
Yes, but the way the closure is treated for pay or leave depends on the employment arrangement.
Is Easter Monday a public holiday?
Yes. Easter Monday is one of Ireland’s ten statutory public holidays.
Can Good Friday be taken from annual leave?
That depends on how the closure and annual leave are arranged. Ask the employer to identify the basis and how it appears in the leave record.
Official sources
Rules and thresholds can change. Check the source that applies to your circumstances before making an important decision.
Important: This guide provides general information for workers in Ireland. It does not replace your contract, payroll records, official guidance or advice on a disputed or unusual case.