The August Bank Holiday is a cultural celebration in Ireland. It's a public holiday, giving workers' an extra day off work in August. It's celebrated on the first Monday of every August.
Upcoming Dates & Where They Are Celebrated
The August Bank Holiday lands on the first Monday of August. Here are the upcoming dates:
- Monday, August 7, 2017
- Monday, August 6, 2018
- Monday, August 5, 2019
- Monday, August 3, 2020
- Monday, August 2, 2021
- Monday, August 1, 2022
- Monday, August 7, 2023
- Monday, August 5, 2024
- Monday, August 4, 2025
Where Is August Bank Holiday Considered A Holiday?
This is a public holiday everywhere in Ireland. Government offices will all be closed on the bank holiday. Post offices and banks will remain closed as well. There will be many stores and businesses closed for observation. However, some will open for brief periods of time on the holiday. This is for better service. They are likely to be closed earlier than usual though. The availability of public transportation depends on where you're living. It is available in some places, but not others. Also, many streets will be closed down due to the cultural celebrations. There could be a delay in general traffic, as well as traveling long distance. It is, after all, a long weekend. So traffic is generally congested.
Festivities & Events During August Bank Holiday
Since it is a long weekend, many families will choose to celebrate by taking a vacation. The August Bank Holiday falls during the school summer break, so it's a great chance to families to spend time together. This is particularly true of the older children who are living away from home for school. Throughout Ireland, there are many cultural celebrations. These may include artistic exhibits for Irish artists. There will be traditional music played, along with dancing and festivals. There are also agricultural shows and local fairs in some areas. Also, horse racing takes place on the August Bank Holiday. The celebrations vary, depending on the size of the village or town. Many people seem to take to traveling on this particular long weekend.
A Brief History Of August Bank Holiday
The August Bank Holiday was instituted in 1871, and has been a public holiday every since. The cultural celebrations of the August Bank Holiday are simply because the Irish are a more celebrated culture. This isn't a part of the history of the holiday.