Easter Q&A: Is Good Friday a public holiday? What are the supermarkets' opening hours?
Answered Holiday Bank Questions Your Easter
Are you working on Friday? If you work in a bank, a school or in the public sector, you’re certainly getting a day off, but for the rest of us, it’s complicated. Unlike Easter Monday, Good Friday isn’t a bank holiday or public holiday. However, many companies choose to give their employees the day off, or if you’re working, a day in lieu or extra pay. Unfortunately, this is entirely up to your boss's discretion so there’s no guarantee you’ll be rewarded with a day off later in the year if you happen to be stuck to the desk on Good Friday.
As Easter Monday is a bank holiday or public holiday, most employees are entitled to either the day off, or a day in lieu or extra pay if they work it.
Most pubs and off-licences will be open as usual, as they have been since the ban on selling alcohol on Good Friday was lifted in 2018.
In terms of the supermarkets, Aldi stores across Ireland are open from 8am until 10pm Friday and Saturday, closed Easter Sunday, and open Easter Monday between 9am and 9pm.
Lidl stores are also open from 8am until 10pm Friday and Saturday, but while they were closed on Easter Sunday last year, this year Lidl will be open from 9am until 6pm, and open Easter Monday between 9am and 9pm.
Dunnes Stores is running at reduced hours over the Easter weekend, with many branches closed Easter Sunday. You can check your local store's opening hours here.
Tesco opening hours vary from store to store, but most are open for their usual Friday hours, and will be open for their usual Sunday hours on Easter Monday. Select stores will be closed on Easter Sunday, including Paul Street in Cork, while others operate Sunday hours. You can check your local store's opening hours here.
Supervalu's opening times also vary across the country, but many are operating normal hours for Good Friday, and their usual Sunday hours on Easter Sunday and Easter Monday. You can check your local store's opening hours here.
Yes! The clocks will 'spring forward' by an hour overnight on Saturday night/Sunday morning. They will go forward by one hour at 1am on Sunday.
Children and teenagers are currently starting their two-week spell of freedom (lucky them). The schools will reopen on Monday, April 8.