The Fight for a New Bank Holiday Weekend

Julia Labedz
Jun 10
2 min read

Ireland loves a good bank-holiday getaway, and a Donegal councillor thinks we deserve one more.

Jimmy Kavanagh of Letterkenny has gone on record arguing that the nation’s third patron saint, St Colmcille (also known as Columba), should finally join St Patrick and the newly established St Brigid on the official list of days off.

Why St Colmcille?

Colmcille was born in Gartan, Co Donegal, founded the city of Derry, and later sailed to Iona where his monks helped light up Europe’s “Dark Ages”. In the English language, Colmcille translates as 'Dove of the Church’. He is regarded as one the three patrons saint of Ireland alongside St Patrick and St Brigid.

There are many sites in the north west and in the eastern region associated with St Colmcille including Gleann Cholm Cille, Toraigh, Kells and Swords. Historians praise him as an early advocate for protecting civilians in wartime, which was pretty radical stuff for the sixth century, and very deserving of its own public holiday.

The Pitch - A July Break for Everyone

Councillor Kavanagh notes that Ireland currently sits on 10 public holidays, below the EU average of 12. Retail and hospitality, he argues, would gain most from “a long weekend in July” when the weather is prime for beach picnics and coastal drives. And let’s be honest - nobody ever complained about an extra excuse to fire up a bbq.

Walk the Slí Colmcille

Should the proposal make it through Cabinet, the obvious way to mark the new holiday is to follow Colmcille’s own footsteps. The 65-kilometre Slí Colmcille loops through Glencolmcille, Ardara and Kilcar. Hardcore hikers tackle it in three to four days, while the rest of us can cherry-pick sections like the breezy coastal stretch between Malin Beg and Silver Strand.

What Happens Next?

The proposal is still at talking-point stage, and the Government would need to draft legislation - yet momentum is on Kavanagh’s side. After decades of 10 holidays, Ireland added Brigid’s Day in 2023, proving that the calendar can evolve.

In the Meantime…

Start planning! Even if the bank holiday takes a year or two to cross the legislative finish line, you’ll be ready to celebrate Ireland’s next excuse for a grand old road trip.