IrelandI was not paid for public holidays I worked.
If you worked on a public holiday in Ireland, you are entitled to either an additional day’s pay or a paid day off in lieu — your employer must give you one of these options under the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997.
What the Law Says
The Organisation of Working Time Act 1997 sets out your rights when working on public holidays in Ireland.
Under Irish law, there are 9 designated public holidays each year. If you are required to work on one of these days, you are legally entitled to one of three options: (1) a paid day off within a month of the public holiday; (2) an additional day’s pay; or (3) an additional day of annual leave plus pay for the day worked.
Your employer must give you one of these options — they cannot refuse all three. This right applies whether you’re full-time, part-time, or on a fixed-term contract, as long as you’re employed on the public holiday itself (i.e., it falls within your normal working pattern or you’re scheduled to work).
Statutory TextAn employee who works on a public holiday is entitled to be paid for that day at the appropriate rate and, in addition, is entitled to one of the following: (a) a paid day off within a month of the public holiday, or (b) an additional day’s pay, or (c) an additional day’s annual leave.
— Organisation of Working Time Act 1997, s. 21 — Entitlements in respect of public holidays
What to Do
Check your payslip and contract to confirm you were not paid or given time off for the public holiday worked.
Raise the issue with your employer in writing, quoting section 21 of the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997.
If unresolved, contact the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) within 6 months of the holiday date to make a complaint.
Keep records of your hours worked, rosters, and any communication with your employer.
Sources
Not legal advice. This article is general information based on publicly available sources, written for educational purposes. Laws change and individual situations vary. Consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction before acting on anything you read here. Last reviewed: 2026-06-08.