How to get the most holidays in 2024 in Ireland?
If you’re looking to make the most of your annual leave in Ireland this year, strategic planning is key. While not everyone can enjoy the luxury of extended breaks or weekends off, most office workers can significantly increase their time off by carefully plotting around the bank holidays. Cassidy Travel has shared some excellent tips for maximizing your annual leave, and we’ve outlined them here along with additional insights for 2024.
Understanding Ireland’s Public Holidays in 2024
- St. Brigid’s Day
- St. Patrick’s Day
- Easter Monday
- May Bank Holiday
- June Bank Holiday
- August Bank Holiday
- Halloween Bank Holiday
- Christmas Day
- St. Stephen’s Day
Note: Contrary to popular belief, Good Friday is not a public
holiday in Ireland, even though some businesses and schools may close.
Strategic Time Off Tips for 2024
By aligning your annual leave with public holidays, you can create substantial breaks while using fewer leave days. Here’s a detailed plan based on Cassidy Travel’s advice, with additional context to help you maximize your holidays this year:
1. February Break
- Leave Days: February 6, 7, 8, 9 (4 days)
- Total Time Off: 9 days
- How It Works: St. Brigid’s Day is on February 5 (Monday). By taking February 6 to 9 off, you extend your break to a full nine days including the weekends before and after.
2. Spring Escape
- Leave Days: March 19, 20, 21, 22, 25, 26, 27, 28 (8 days)
- Total Time Off: 16 days
- How It Works: Following St. Patrick’s Day on March 18 (Monday), take the rest of the week off plus the following week’s first three days. This strategic leave covers the time around Easter Monday (April 1), giving you a lengthy 16-day break with just 8 days of leave.
3. Early Summer Getaway
- Leave Days: May 7, 8, 9, 10 (4 days)
- Total Time Off: 9 days
- How It Works: The May Bank Holiday is on May 6 (Monday). By taking May 7 to 10 off, you enjoy a full week off with only 4 days of annual leave.
4. Mid-Year Recharge
- Leave Days: June 4, 5, 6, 7 (4 days)
- Total Time Off: 9 days
- How It Works: After the June Bank Holiday on June 3 (Monday), taking the following four days off extends your break into a 9-day holiday.
5. Late Summer Break
- Leave Days: August 6, 7, 8, 9 (4 days)
- Total Time Off: 9 days
- How It Works: The August Bank Holiday is on August 5 (Monday). Extend your break by taking August 6 to 9 off, for a full 9-day holiday.
6. Autumn Respite
- Leave Days: October 29, 30, 31, November 1 (4 days)
- Total Time Off: 9 days
- How It Works: With the Halloween Bank Holiday on October 28 (Monday), taking the following four days off will give you a 9-day break.
7. Festive Season
- Leave Days: December 23, 24, 27, 30, 31, January 2, 3 (7 days)
- Total Time Off: 16 days
- How It Works: By taking off December 23 to 24 and December 27, plus December 30 to 31, and January 2 to 3, you stretch the Christmas and New Year period into a full 16-day break with just 7 days of annual leave.
Maximizing Your Time Off: A Strategic Approach
Leave Stacking: The concept of “leave stacking” is all about planning your leave around public holidays and long weekends to maximize your time off. Instead of taking random days off, align them with public holidays to get the most extended breaks for the least amount of annual leave used.
For Example:
- Long Weekends: If a public holiday falls on a Monday, consider taking the entire week off to turn a long weekend into a 9-day holiday.
- Preceding Fridays or Following Mondays: Taking the Friday before or the Monday after a public holiday can turn a weekend into a longer break.
Additional Insights for 2024
Planning Ahead: Booking early is crucial for securing the best deals on travel and accommodations. Plan your holidays well in advance to avoid last-minute stress and to ensure you get the time off you want.
Company Policies: Always check your company’s leave policies to ensure you’re aware of how public holidays and annual leave are handled. This helps avoid any confusion or missed opportunities for time off.
Well-Being: Utilizing your annual leave effectively not only gives you time to relax but also positively impacts your overall well-being. Taking regular breaks helps to recharge and can increase productivity and job satisfaction.
Reflecting on 2023
Looking back at 2023, many found that planning around the bank holidays helped them enjoy extended breaks. By learning from last year’s experiences and applying these strategies, you can ensure 2024 is even better. With thoughtful planning and smart use of annual leave, you can make the most of every holiday and enjoy plenty of time to unwind.