St Patrick’s Day is fast becoming the starting point for spring sun holidays, with bookings for travel around the long weekend jumping 88% year-on-year, as Irish holidaymakers look to escape a wet start to the year.
New booking data from package holiday specialists On the Beach shows bank holidays are increasingly being used as the launchpad for longer trips abroad, with many travellers stacking annual leave around St Patrick’s Day, Easter and May to turn long weekends into full beach breaks.
The data suggests there is a spring in Ireland’s travelling step, with St Patrick’s Day now one of the key booking moments of the year, alongside Easter and the May bank holidays, as families plan ahead to lock in some sun after months of rain, wind and grey skies.
Long weekends are no longer just short breaks as across the spring bank holidays, the average trip now lasts seven nights, with few bookings under three nights, showing many travellers are using one extra day off as an excuse to turn a bank holiday into a full week abroad.
The data also found that Irish holiday makers are also booking much earlier with lead times for May Bank Holiday trips doubling from around 67 days to more than 130 days, while spring and early summer departures are being booked over 50% earlier year-on-year as customers look to lock in the best value.
The trend suggests bank holiday breaks are no longer a last-minute decision but a regular part of the Irish travel calendar, with many customers stacking annual leave around long weekends and locking in their summer escape months in advance.
Zoe Harris, Chief Customer Officer at On the Beach, said: “After the washout start to 2026, it’s no surprise people need something to look forward to, and we’re seeing bank holidays like St Patrick’s Day, Easter and May becoming key moments when Irish customers decide it’s time to book a proper break.
“What really stands out this year is how savvy people are getting with their annual leave as lots of customers are stacking days off around bank holidays to turn a long weekend into a full week at the beach, which not only gives them a better break but also helps them avoid the higher flight prices you often see on peak weekend travel days.
“Even with the cost of living still on people’s minds, holidays remain a priority, and booking earlier means customers can lock in some sun with low deposits, spread the cost, get more choice, and get the best value for their summer trip.”
