June Holiday

June Holiday (IRL) History

The June Holiday serves as a day off for people in Ireland to take time to enjoy the spring weather and cultural or sporting events. Falling the day after Pentecost, the June Holiday is moveable holiday and a modern incarnation of Whit Monday. Whit Monday was a traditionally a time for extra church services, these still take place but other secular events are also held. Banks, post offices and businesses tend to shut on the day but pubs and shops will be open; albeit with different service hours.

The June Holiday is observed annually on the first Monday of June.

Top facts about June Holiday

• Bank Holidays are often held on days related to ancient or centuries old traditions, in the UK (and conversely Ireland), Bank Holidays were legislated for as part of the Bank Holidays Act of 1871 and 1973.
• The June Holiday was moved to the first Monday of June as part of the 1973 Bank Holidays Act (Employees)
• Whit Monday is a holiday in over 30 countries. As the state became more secular the holiday was changed to an economic rest without spiritual connotations.
• The Irish use this Bank Holiday to attend sports and cultural events all around the country.
• To live is the rarest thing in the world. Most people exist, that is all. - Oscar Wilde, Irish Writer

In the News and Trending for June Holiday

June Holiday Top Events and Things to Do

• Visit a festival. Enjoy the Ireland Bikefest Killarney, the Cork Harbour Festival, the Leixlip Festival and the Dublin Port Fest.
• Some communities maintain the ancient tradition of lighting bonfires on the eve of the summer solstice (June 23rd), especially in rural areas. Join a local bonfire gathering, where you can experience traditional music, dancing, storytelling, and the lighting of the bonfire itself.
• See some art. There are numerous exhibitions being held in Ireland during the weekend including many engaging with Ireland’s history. Try these events: Julie Cusack at Solomon Fine Art and Citizens in Conflict at Dublin City Library.
• Enjoy the extra day off by reading an Irish book. Ireland has produced many great novelists. Our suggestions include:
  1) Dubliners by James Joyce
  2) The Contractors by John B Keane
  3) The Country Girls by Edna O’Brien
• Explore Ireland’s natural beauty. Take the long weekend to visit Carrauntoohil, Ireland’s tallest mountain at 1,038m and Lough Neagh (396km2), the largest of Ireland’s 12,000 lakes, although Lower Lough Erne is the deepest at 69m.