Department of Education Circular 0018/2026
Irish School Holidays: 2026/27 to 2028/29
The standardised break dates every primary and post-primary school in Ireland follows: October midterm, Christmas, February midterm and Easter, for the next three school years.
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Last checked against the circular: 17 July 2026
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The short answer
Ireland standardises school breaks nationally: in 2026/27 the October midterm runs 26 – 30 October 2026, schools close for Christmas on 22 December 2026 and reopen 6 January 2027, the February midterm falls 15 – 19 February 2027 (secondary; primary 18 – 19), and the Easter break runs from 19 March to reopening on 5 April 2027.
The standardised breaks
2026/27 school breaks
| Break | Primary | Post-primary |
|---|---|---|
| October midterm | Closed 26 – 30 October 2026 | Closed 26 – 30 October 2026 |
| Christmas | Last day 22 December 2026 · reopen 6 January 2027 All schools | |
| February midterm | Closed 18 – 19 February 2027 (many close the full week from 15 February) | Closed 15 – 19 February 2027 |
| Easter | Last day 19 March 2027 · reopen 5 April 2027 All schools | |
Swipe the table sideways for the full dates.
2027/28 school breaks
| Break | Primary | Post-primary |
|---|---|---|
| October midterm | Closed 25 – 29 October 2027 | Closed 25 – 29 October 2027 |
| Christmas | Last day 22 December 2027 · reopen 6 January 2028 All schools | |
| February midterm | Closed 24 – 25 February 2028 (many close the full week from 21 February) | Closed 21 – 25 February 2028 |
| Easter | Last day 7 April 2028 · reopen 24 April 2028 All schools | |
Swipe the table sideways for the full dates.
2028/29 school breaks
| Break | Primary | Post-primary |
|---|---|---|
| October midterm | Closed 30 October – 3 November 2028 | Closed 30 October – 3 November 2028 |
| Christmas | Last day 22 December 2028 · reopen 8 January 2029 All schools | |
| February midterm | Closed 15 – 16 February 2029 (many close the full week from 12 February) | Closed 12 – 16 February 2029 |
| Easter | Last day 23 March 2029 · reopen 9 April 2029 All schools | |
Swipe the table sideways for the full dates.
Source: Department of Education Circular 0018/2026 (Appendix A). Primary schools may use three discretionary days to extend the February midterm to a full week: check your own school's calendar. Breaks can be shortened as contingency for unforeseen closures.
The parts no circular sets
Start and end of the school year
Start and end dates are not standardised: each school sets its own, but the year normally begins during the week containing 1 September.
Post-primary schools finish tuition no later than the Friday before the June bank holiday; the State examinations (Junior and Leaving Cert) begin the following week.
Minimum school days per year: 182 for primary schools, 166 for post-primary schools.
The grinds calendar
How the breaks map to the exams
September
New school year: foundations set now carry the whole year.
After the February midterm
The mocks. The break itself is the last clear run at them.
Easter (two weeks)
The classic pre-exam grinds window before June.
June
Junior Cert and Leaving Cert: the exams themselves.
Exam year? A weekly grind keeps the plan on track.
Get a Grinds TutorQuestions parents ask about the school year
When is the October midterm 2026?
The October midterm runs from 26 to 30 October 2026 for all schools, primary and post-primary.
When do schools close for Christmas 2026?
The final day of term is Tuesday 22 December 2026; schools reopen on Wednesday 6 January 2027.
When is the February midterm 2027?
Secondary schools close from 15 to 19 February 2027. Primary schools close on 18 and 19 February, though many primaries take the full week.
When are the Easter holidays 2027?
Schools close after Friday 19 March 2027 and reopen on Monday 5 April 2027.
Are school holidays the same for every school in Ireland?
The October, Christmas, February and Easter breaks are standardised nationally by Department of Education circular. Start and end of the school year vary by school.
When do the 2029 dates come out?
The current circular (0018/2026) runs to the end of 2028/29; the Department reviews standardisation arrangements by autumn 2028. New dates will be added here when the next circular is published.
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