Christmas Holidays 2026: Irish school holiday dates
Schools in Ireland close for the Christmas holidays at the end of the school day on Tuesday 22 December 2026 and reopen on Wednesday 6 January 2027.
Coverage: These dates apply to recognised primary and post-primary schools in the Republic of Ireland. Northern Ireland publishes a separate school calendar.
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Frequently asked questions
When do schools reopen after the christmas holidays 2026?
Schools reopen on Wednesday 6 January 2027. The last day of school before the break is Tuesday 22 December 2026.
Do primary and secondary schools have the same christmas holidays dates?
Yes. For the christmas holidays, both primary and secondary schools are closed for the same period (Wed 23 Dec 2026 – Tue 5 Jan 2027) and reopen on Wednesday 6 January 2027.
Do all schools in Ireland follow these dates?
These are the standardised dates set by the Department of Education in Circular 0018/2026, and all recognised primary and post-primary schools follow them for the main breaks. Individual schools still set a small number of their own discretionary closure days (for staff training, etc.), so always confirm with your child's school. You can find your school and its contact details in our directory.
Are Gaelscoileanna and DEIS schools different?
Gaelscoileanna, DEIS schools and Gaeltacht schools all follow the same standardised school-year breaks. Only the handful of discretionary days each school controls can differ, so check the individual school for those.
More on the 2026/2027 school year
Free and cheap days out during the break
Free museums, national parks and gardens, when a Heritage Card pays off (under-12s already go free), and which attractions are cheaper booked online.
Planning a birthday during the break?
Holiday weeks book out first. Compare venues by price per child, minimum group size and age range.
Verified against DoE Circular 0018/2026 on 26 July 2026. Source of truth: gov.ie standardised school year circular.