We enjoy this quite a lot, here in weddingsonline HQ – preparing the list of important Irish dates 2018 and 2019. Why? Look no further than the real-life example of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. They are having their wedding broadcast live on the same day as the FA Cup final. We hear sales of TVs already went up in the UK, so households can watch both events live without fighting over the remote. And as for the guys who will get that coveted wedding invitation… who’s going to guarantee they won’t spend part of the day completely MIA? Harry and Megs can only count on the good manners of their guests here.
In all seriousness, the reason you should keep these important Irish dates 2018 and 2019 in mind when setting the date is simple – some of your guests won’t be able to attend, or will be too distracted. If you do choose one of these dates, you may want to consider sending save-the-date cards around a year in advance, 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 a major event? 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. Win win!
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
Here are all the important Irish dates for 2019:
January 2019
1st, Tuesday – New Year’s Day
February 2019
1st, Friday – Six Nations Rugby, England v Ireland
3rd, Sunday – Super Bowl USA
9th, Saturday – Six Nations Rugby, Scotland v Ireland
14th, Thursday – Valentine’s Day
24th, Sunday – Six Nations Rugby, Italy v Ireland
March 2019
6th, Wednesday – Ash Wednesday, Lent begins
10th, Sunday – Six Nations Rugby, Ireland v France
16th, Saturday – Six Nations Rugby, Wales v Ireland
17th, Sunday – St Patrick’s Day
18th, Monday – St Patrick’s Day Observance
31st, Sunday – Mother’s Day
April 2019
11th, Thursday – 14th, Sunday – The Masters Golf Tournament
19th, Friday – Good Friday
21st, Sunday – Easter Sunday
22nd, Monday – Easter Monday
May 2019
6th, Monday – May Day Bank Holiday
unconfirmed – FA Cup Final
unconfirmed – The US PGA Golf Championship
June 2019
3rd, Monday – June Bank Holiday
13th, Thursday – 16th, Sunday – US Open Golf Championship
16th, Sunday – Father’s Day
unconfirmed – Tour de France
unconfirmed – Wimbledon
July 2019
18th, Thursday – 21st, Sunday – British Open Golf Championship
August 2019
5th, Monday – August Bank Holiday
September 2019
20th, Friday – Rugby World Cup begins
October 2019
28th, Monday – October Bank Holiday
November 2019
1st, Friday – All Saints’ Day
2nd, Saturday – Rugby World Cup ends
10th, Sunday – Remembrance Day
December 2019
24th, Tuesday – Christmas Eve
25th, Wednesday – Christmas Day
26th, Thursday – St Stephen’s Day
31st, Tuesday – New Year’s Eve
Main image from Avril & John’s real wedding by M&M Photography