On 19th January 2022, the Government of Ireland announced the establishment of a new permanent public holiday, St Brigid’s Day (1st February) beginning in 2023.
Announcing the new public holiday, Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Leo Varadkar said:
“From next year, Ireland will have an extra public holiday at the start of February to mark Imbolc/St Brigid’s day. It will be observed on the first Monday of February except where the 1st of February falls on a Friday in which case it will be observed on that day. This will be the first Irish public holiday named after a woman. It marks the half-way point between the winter solstice and the equinox, the beginning of spring and the Celtic New Year. The creation of a tenth public holiday will bring Ireland more into line with the European average.”