Secondary school holidays 2028/29
Mid-term breaks, Christmas, Easter and bank holidays for every secondary school in Ireland, as set by the Department of Education. Schools are closed on 33 weekdays during the 2028/29 school year, not counting the summer.
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2028/29 school holidays
| Break | Schools closed | School days |
|---|---|---|
| October mid-term breakThe October bank holiday is Monday 30 October. | Mon, 30 October to Fri 3 November 2028 | 5 |
| Christmas holidaysLast day of term is Friday 22 December. Schools reopen Monday 8 January. | Mon 25 December 2028 to Fri 5 January 2029 | 10 |
| St Brigid's Day bank holiday | Monday 5 February 2029 | 1 |
| February mid-term breakPost-primary schools close for the full week. A school that has lost days to an unplanned closure can stay open up to Wednesday 14 February. | Mon, 12 February to Fri 16 February 2029 | 5 |
| Easter holidaysLast day of term is Friday 23 March. Schools reopen Monday 9 April. | Mon, 26 March to Fri 6 April 2029 | 10 |
| May bank holiday | Monday 7 May 2029 | 1 |
| June bank holiday | Monday 4 June 2029 | 1 |
Dates are the first and last days schools are closed. Schools also close on Saturdays and Sundays either side.
From secondaryschool.ie/term-dates. Source: Department of Education Circular 0018/2026: Standardisation of the school year 2026/27 to 2028/29.
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Questions parents ask
- When is the October mid-term 2028?
- Secondary schools close for the October mid-term from Mon, 30 October to Fri 3 November 2028. The October bank holiday is Monday 30 October.
- When do secondary schools close for Christmas 2028?
- Last day of term is Friday 22 December. Schools reopen Monday 8 January.
- When is the February mid-term 2029?
- Secondary schools close for the whole week, from Mon, 12 February to Fri 16 February 2029. Post-primary schools close for the full week. A school that has lost days to an unplanned closure can stay open up to Wednesday 14 February.
- When are the Easter holidays 2029?
- Last day of term is Friday 23 March. Schools reopen Monday 9 April. Schools are closed from Mon, 26 March to Fri 6 April 2029.
- When do secondary schools close for the summer 2029?
- Classes end for most year groups by late May or early June, when the State exams begin. Secondary schools aren't open for classes after the Friday before the June bank holiday, and must be open for at least 166 days a year. Your school will tell you its last day.
- How many days off school are there in 2028/29?
- Secondary schools are closed on 33 weekdays during the 2028/29 school year for mid-term breaks, Christmas, Easter and bank holidays, not counting the summer. Working parents would need that many days of leave or childcare to cover them all, plus any days your school adds.
- Do all secondary schools have the same holidays?
- Yes for the main breaks. The Department of Education sets the October, Christmas, February and Easter breaks for every school (Department of Education Circular 0018/2026: Standardisation of the school year 2026/27 to 2028/29). Secondary schools close for the whole February mid-term week, unlike secondary schools. Schools have a few discretionary days of their own and set their own start date in late August or early September.
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Other years
Where these dates come from
Department of Education Circular 0018/2026: Standardisation of the school year 2026/27 to 2028/29. The Department sets the main breaks for 2026/27 to 2028/29 so that families with children in different schools get the same holidays.
Secondary schools follow a similar calendar with some differences. Spotted a mistake? Email [email protected].