We’ve spent a few intense hours preparing this list of important Irish dates 2017 2018. Why? Well, have you heard the one about the groom who was the only man at his own wedding reception? It’s because all other dudes were at the hotel bar, watching a live World Cup game. If you don’t want it to be your wedding day memory, simply ponder the list below, before you set your wedding date – it’s all the important Irish dates, events and happenings for 2017 and 2018.
The reason you should keep these in mind when setting the date is simple – some of your guests won’t be able to attend, or will be distracted. You may want to consider sending save-the-date cards to give everyone as much notice as possible, rather than just a few weeks they’d get with invitations.
At certain times of the year some of your preferred suppliers may be heavily booked as well – for example, florists around Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day. So take a look at our calendar before you set the date – it may just make a difference.
But, what to do if your other half is a major sports fan, and your wedding is already booked for the same day as the Euro 2016 final? Worry not – just ask the venue if they can arrange a viewing area close to your reception room. This way, everyone will still be nearby, and they’ll think you’re the coolest bride ever. We’d also like to suggest bookmarking this link to upcoming sporting events of Irish interest (and you can keep an eye on GAA fixtures here) – as well as this one, for a complete list of Irish bank holidays for the next two years.
Here are all the important Irish dates for 2016:
February 2016
4th, Saturday – Six Nations Rugby, Scotland v Ireland
11th, Saturday – Six Nations Rugby, Italy vs Ireland
14th, Tuesday – Valentine’s Day
25th, Saturday – Six Nations Rugby, Ireland vs France
26th, Sunday – Capital One Cup final, Wembley
March 2016
1st, Wednesday – Ash Wednesday, Lent begins
10th, Friday – Six Nations Rugby, Wales vs Ireland
17th, Friday – St Patrick’s Day
18th, Saturday – Six Nations Rugby, Ireland v England
26th, Sunday – Mother’s Day
April 2016
9th, Sunday – Palm Sunday
14th, Friday – Good Friday, Easter
16th, Sunday – Easter Sunday
17th, Monday – Easter Monday
May 2016
1st, Monday – May bank holiday
27th, Saturday – FA Cup final, Wembley
June 2016
3rd, Saturday – UEFA Champions League final
6th, Monday – June bank holiday
10th, Friday – UEFA Euro 2016 kicks off, lasts until Sunday, 10th July
11th, Saturday – Rugby Union summer series starts
18th, Saturday – Rugby Union – South Africa v Ireland
19th, Sunday – Father’s Day
25th, Saturday – Rugby Union – South Africa v Ireland
July 2016
2nd, Saturday to 24th, Sunday – Tour de France
10th, Sunday – UEFA Euro 2016 final
August 2016
1st, Monday – August bank holiday
5th, Friday to 21st, Sunday – the Olympic Games, Brazil
September 2016
30th, Friday to October 2nd, Sunday – Ryder Cup
October 2016
13th, Friday – Friday the 13th
31st, Monday – October bank holiday
November 2016
1st, Tuesday – All Saints Day
12th, Saturday – Rugby Union – Ireland v Canada
13th, Sunday – Remembrance Day
19th, Saturday – Rugby Union – Ireland v New Zealand
26th, Saturday – Rugby Union – Ireland v Australia
December 2016
24th, Saturday – Christmas Eve
25th, Sunday – Christmas Day
31st, Saturday – New Year’s Eve
Here are all the important Irish dates for 2017:
January 2017
13th, Friday – Friday the 13th
February 2017
4th, Saturday – Rugby Union – Scotland v Ireland
11th, Saturday – Rugby Union – Italy v Ireland
14th, Tuesday – Valentine’s Day
25th, Saturday – Rugby Union – Ireland v France
March 2017
1st, Wednesday – Ash Wednesday, Lent begins
10th, Friday – Rugby Union – Ireland v Wales
14th, Tuesday to 25th, Saturday – Special Olympics World Winter Games
17th, Friday – St Patrick’s Day
18th, Saturday – Rugby Union – Ireland v England
26th, Sunday – Mother’s Day
April 2017
9th, Sunday – Palm Sunday
14th, Friday to 17th, Monday – Easter
May 2017
1st, Monday – May Day long weekend
June 2017
3rd, Saturday – UEFA Champions League final
5th, Monday – June bank holiday
18th, Sunday – Father’s Day
24th, Saturday – British and Irish Lions tour – New Zealand v British and Irish Lions
July 2017
Dates to be confirmed – Tour de France
1st, Saturday – British and Irish Lions tour – New Zealand v British and Irish Lions
8th, Saturday – British and Irish Lions tour – New Zealand v British and Irish Lions
August 2017
7th, Monday – August bank holiday
October 2017
13th, Friday – Friday the 13th
30th, Monday – October bank holiday
November 2017
1st, Wednesday – All Saints Day
12th, Sunday – Remembrance Day
December 2017
24th, Sunday – Christmas Eve
25th, Monday – Christmas Day
31st, Sunday – New Year’s Eve
Here are all the important Irish dates for 2018:
January 2018
1st, Monday – New Year’s Day
27th, Saturday – Allianz Football and Hurling Leagues begin
February 2018
3rd, Saturday – Six Nations Rugby, France v Ireland
4th, Sunday – Super Bowl USA
9th, Friday – opening ceremony of Winter Olympics 2018
10th, Saturday – Six Nations Rugby, Ireland v Italy
14th, Wednesday – Valentine’s Day
14th, Wednesday – Ash Wednesday, Lent begins
24th, Saturday – Six Nations Rugby, Ireland v Wales
25th, Sunday – closing ceremony of Winter Olympics 2018, EFL Cup final
March 2018
9th, Friday – opening ceremony of Winter Paralympics 2018
10th, Saturday – Six Nations Rugby, Ireland v Scotland
11th, Sunday – Mother’s Day
18th, Sunday – closing ceremony of Winter Paralympics 2018
17th, Saturday – St Patrick’s Day; Six Nations Rugby, England v Ireland
19th, Monday – St Patrick’s Day Observance
25th, Sunday – Palm Sunday
30th, Friday – Good Friday
April 2018
1st, Sunday – Easter Sunday
2nd, Monday – Easter Monday
5th, Thursday to 8th, Sunday – The Masters Golf Tournament
13th, Friday – Friday the 13th
May 2018
6th, Sunday – The Provincial Football Championships begin
7th, Monday – May Day Bank Holiday
12th, Saturday – The Provincial Hurling Championships begin
19th, Saturday – FA Cup Final
26th, Saturday – UEFA Champions League Final
June 2018
4th, Monday – June Bank Holiday
14th, Thursday – start of FIFA World Cup (goes on for one month)
14th, Thursday – 17th, Sunday – US Open Golf Championship
17th, Sunday – Father’s Day
23rd, Saturday – Munster Football Final
July 2018
1st, Sunday – Leinster and Munster Hurling Finals
2nd, Monday – Wimbledon starts
7th, Saturday – Tour de France begins
13th, Friday – Friday the 13th
15th, Sunday – end of FIFA World Cup, Wimbledon final
19th, Thursday – 22nd, Sunday – British Open Golf Championship
20th, Friday – 22nd, Sunday – Rugby World Cup Sevens Tournament
29th, Sunday – Tour de France ends
August 2018
6th, Monday – August Bank Holiday
16th, Thursday – 19th, Sunday – The US PGA Golf Championship
19th, Sunday – All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship Final
September 2018
28th, Friday – 30th, Sunday – Ryder Cup
2nd, Sunday – GAA Football All-Ireland Championship Final
8th, Saturday – All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship Final replay (if required)
15th, Saturday – GAA Football All-Ireland Championship Final replay (if required)
October 2018
29th, Monday – October Bank Holiday
November 2018
1st, Thursday – All Saints Day
11th, Sunday – Remembrance Day
December 2018
24th, Monday – Christmas Eve
25th, Tuesday – Christmas Day
26th, Wednesday – St Stephen’s Day
31st, Monday – New Year’s Eve
Main image from Tara & Gearóid’s real wedding by DKPHOTO