Ireland could be getting two new Bank Holidays next year

Imagine two extra days off next year?

At present Ireland has below the average of Bank Holidays per year in Europe. The European average for public holidays is 11 but we fall short of that by two days, whereas some countries like Finland and Malta have 15 and 14 days off per year. So with that in mind The Green Party are proposing that we make Lá Fhéile Bride, or St Brigid's Day, a brand new public holiday which will fall on February 1st. And along with that being suggested is Sinn Fein's proposal to make April 24th a public holiday to honour the men and women who fought for independence during the 1916 rising. According to Newstalk, Green Party leader Eamon Ryan said:

“Ireland has the third fewest public holidays in Europe, and fourth fewest public holidays in the world. Practically speaking, the Sinn Féin motion introduces another public holiday at a time of year when we have two bank holidays, while the longest period without a bank holiday remains from St Stephen’s Day, December 26, to St Patrick’s Day, March 17. “The start of February is filled with significance, marking the first day of Spring and the Celtic festival of Imbolc. Lá Fhéile Bríde is a positive, potent celebration of new beginnings, the turning of the seasons and the cyclical nature of our life on Earth."

I'm sure we can all agree this is a great idea.