Easter Monday, April 6, 2026, is a bank holiday across the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland—but that does not mean every shop shuts down. Major chains like Lidl, Aldi, Dunnes, Tesco, and SuperValu do open their doors, usually with reduced hours compared to a normal Monday. The catch is that exact opening times vary by retailer, and some smaller stores stay shuttered. Here is what to expect from Ireland’s supermarkets on Easter Monday 2026.

Easter Monday bank holiday: Yes, in Ireland · Lidl Easter Monday hours: 09:00 – 21:00 · Major chains open: Dunnes, Tesco, Lidl, Aldi, SuperValu · Easter Sunday closures: Many stores closed

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
  • Easter Monday is a bank holiday on April 6, 2026 (Bank of Ireland UK)
  • Lidl Ireland opens 09:00–21:00 on Easter Monday (Lidl Ireland)
  • Dunnes, Tesco, Aldi, SuperValu open with reduced hours (Extra.ie)
2What’s unclear
  • Exact hours vary by individual Dunnes, Tesco, and SuperValu branches
  • Hours for smaller independent shops remain uncertain
3Timeline signal
  • Good Friday: April 3, 2026
  • Easter Sunday: April 5, 2026 — many stores closed
  • Easter Monday: April 6, 2026 — reduced hours
4What’s next
  • Normal trading resumes from Tuesday, April 7
  • Next bank holiday: May 4, 2026

Here is how the key details break down across retailers and services for the Easter Monday bank holiday.

Detail Information
Bank holiday status Yes in Ireland (ROI and NI)
Lidl hours Easter Monday 09:00 – 21:00
Typical open chains Dunnes, Tesco, Lidl, Aldi, SuperValu
Easter Sunday trend Most major supermarkets closed
Lidl Easter Sunday hours 09:00 – 18:00
Ireland public holidays 2026 10 total

Are shops open on Easter Monday in Ireland?

Yes, most major supermarkets open on Easter Monday, but they operate on reduced hours compared to a standard Monday. The Easter weekend runs from April 3 to April 6, 2026, with Good Friday and Easter Sunday seeing more closures, while Easter Monday brings a partial reopening of the retail sector. Ireland has 10 public holidays in 2026, and Easter Monday is one of them in both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. This means banks, government offices, and many businesses close, but supermarkets typically stay open.

Major supermarkets

Five major chains dominate the Irish grocery market and all operate on Easter Monday: Dunnes Stores (with 138 Irish branches), Tesco, Lidl, Aldi (with 166 branches), and SuperValu. According to Extra.ie (an established Irish news outlet covering retail), Dunnes closes all its Irish stores on Easter Sunday but most open again on Easter Monday from 9am to 7pm. Aldi similarly shuts all 166 branches on Easter Sunday and reopens Easter Monday from 9am to 9pm. Lidl offers the longest window of the budget chains, operating from 09:00 to 21:00 on Easter Monday.

Reduced hours details

The typical pattern across these retailers is opening around 9am and closing between 7pm and 9pm—significantly shorter than a normal Monday when some stores run until 10pm or later. According to Ireland.com (the official tourism portal), “pubs and shops may open later and close earlier than usual” on Easter Monday. Urban centres tend to have more options open than smaller towns, where independent shops are more likely to remain closed for the day.

The upshot

For shoppers, the practical takeaway is straightforward: if you are relying on a specific chain, call ahead or check online before heading out. Dunnes, Tesco, and SuperValu all have branch-specific variations, and many operate shortened trading windows on Easter Monday that cut an hour or two off normal hours.

Is SuperValu open on Easter Monday?

SuperValu does stay open on Easter Monday, though the chain operates under its typical Sunday schedule rather than Monday hours. This means opening times can vary significantly from one SuperValu branch to another, depending on local management decisions. Some SuperValu stores open as late as 10am or 11am on Easter Monday, while others may follow their normal Sunday pattern of midday opening.

SuperValu Easter weekend hours

Unlike the larger chains with company-wide announcements, SuperValu’s approach is decentralised. Each individual branch sets its own Easter Monday hours based on staff availability and local demand. According to Extra.ie, SuperValu “maintains typical Sunday schedule on Easter Monday, branch-specific variations apply.” This makes it harder to give a one-size-fits-all answer for SuperValu shoppers. The safest approach is to check with your local store directly or look up their specific Easter Monday opening hours online.

What to watch

SuperValu’s independent store model means customer experience can differ sharply from branch to branch. A store in a city centre is far more likely to open on Easter Monday than one in a rural village—the latter may not open at all.

Is Dunnes Store open on Easter Monday?

Dunnes Stores is open on Easter Monday, operating with reduced hours across its 138 Irish branches. The chain shuts entirely on Easter Sunday and reopens the following day from 9am to 7pm, though customers are advised to verify with their local store as some branches may differ from the standard schedule.

Dunnes Easter hours

According to Extra.ie, Dunnes “closed all 138 Irish branches Easter Sunday, most open 9am to 7pm Easter Monday.” This represents a significant reduction from the chain’s normal Monday trading hours, which often stretch until 9pm or 10pm in larger stores. The one-hour earlier closing time (7pm versus the usual 9pm or 10pm) gives staff a longer weekend while still serving customers who need to shop on the bank holiday.

Customers are urged to check individual branch times for Dunnes Stores on Easter Monday, as the retailer does not publish a uniform chain-wide policy for bank holiday hours.

What is closed on Easter Monday in Ireland?

While major supermarkets open on Easter Monday, plenty of other businesses stay closed. Banks shut their doors across the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland on April 6, 2026—Bank of Ireland UK confirms closures in both jurisdictions, and the Danske Bank (an Irish government banking resource) notes that no outgoing payments are processed on Easter Monday. Post offices, government offices, and many smaller retail shops also close for the day.

Shops and services closed

According to Ireland.com, “shops in smaller towns close on Easter Monday while urban areas stay open.” This urban-rural divide means that if you are in Dublin or Cork, you will have more options than someone shopping in a smaller town. Some pubs and smaller convenience stores may open later in the day or not at all. Additionally, public transport may run on a Sunday service on Easter Monday, so those relying on buses or trains should check schedules in advance.

The catch

If you are banking on public transport to reach a supermarket on Easter Monday, you may face reduced services or altered routes. Sunday timetables are common, so plan ahead and check with your local transport provider before travelling.

Is Easter Monday a bank holiday?

Easter Monday is officially a bank holiday in Ireland, both in the Republic and Northern Ireland. The 2026 Easter Monday falls on April 6, marking the close of the Easter season. This makes it one of Ireland’s 10 public holidays for 2026, alongside occasions like St Brigid’s Day (February 2), May Day (May 4), and the Christmas period.

Bank holiday details

The Bank of Ireland UK confirms Easter Monday bank holiday status for both regions. According to Eskimo eSIM (a travel resource covering Ireland), Easter Monday also “marks close of the Easter season and carries additional historical significance in Ireland” due to its proximity to anniversary commemorations related to the 1916 Rising. This historical weight makes Easter Monday more than just a day off—it holds cultural importance in the Irish calendar. The Danske Bank document confirms the April 6 date for both ROI and NI.

Bottom line: Easter Monday 2026 on April 6 is a confirmed bank holiday across Ireland, and major supermarkets will open with reduced hours (9am to 7pm or 9pm). Dunnes, Tesco, Lidl, Aldi, and SuperValu all operate on Easter Monday, but most close earlier than usual. SuperValu branches set their own hours. Banks, government offices, and many smaller businesses will be closed. Rural areas have fewer open shops than cities. Plan ahead: check your local store’s hours before heading out, and expect public transport to run reduced Sunday services.

Easter weekend timeline

Three distinct phases govern what stays open across the Easter weekend:

  • Good Friday (April 3, 2026): Not an official bank holiday, but many shops close or shorten hours, especially in smaller towns. Schools close across Ireland.
  • Easter Sunday (April 5, 2026): Most major supermarkets shut completely. Aldi closes all 166 branches; Dunnes closes all 138 Irish stores.
  • Easter Monday (April 6, 2026): Reduced hours return. Lidl operates 09:00–21:00; Aldi opens 9am to 9pm; Dunnes typically 9am to 7pm.
  • Tuesday (April 7, 2026): Normal operations resume across all major retailers.

Lidl is the most transparent about its plans: the official Lidl Ireland Easter opening hours page confirms Easter Sunday (09:00–18:00) and Easter Monday (09:00–21:00), with normal Tuesday resume. Other chains follow similar patterns but without published guarantees.

Why this matters

Good Friday is often misunderstood as a bank holiday—it is not, in Ireland—but many businesses treat it like one, particularly in smaller communities. Do not assume Good Friday has the same opening patterns as Easter Monday.

What we know and what we don’t

Confirmed facts

  • Lidl Ireland opens 09:00–21:00 Easter Monday (official retailer source)
  • Easter Monday April 6, 2026 is a bank holiday in both ROI and NI
  • Major chains (Dunnes, Tesco, Lidl, Aldi, SuperValu) open on Easter Monday
  • Lidl operates reduced Easter Sunday hours 09:00–18:00
  • Aldi closed all 166 branches Easter Sunday, open Easter Monday 9am–9pm
  • Dunnes closed all 138 Irish branches Easter Sunday, most open Easter Monday 9am–7pm
  • Ireland has 10 public holidays in 2026
  • Banks and government offices closed Easter Monday

What’s unclear

  • Exact hours for individual Dunnes, Tesco, and SuperValu branches
  • Whether smaller independent shops open in rural areas
  • Specific public transport timetables for Easter Monday 2026
  • Hours for any NI-specific supermarket chains not covered in ROI sources

What people are saying

The outlets will typically work from 9am to 8pm on the bank holiday, though some branches may also differ.

— Extra.ie (Irish news outlet covering retail patterns)

Pubs and shops may open later and close earlier than usual, or not open at all.

Ireland.com (official tourism portal)

The takeaway

Easter Monday 2026 in Ireland is not a dead day for shopping, but it is far from normal trading. The major supermarkets—Lidl, Aldi, Dunnes, Tesco, and SuperValu—all open their doors on April 6, typically from 9am closing between 7pm and 9pm. The budget chains (Lidl and Aldi) publish the clearest schedules, while Dunnes and SuperValu lean more on individual branch decisions. Banks and government offices are definitely closed, and if you are outside a city or large town, you may find fewer options than expected. For anyone planning to shop on the bank holiday, the smart move is straightforward: check your local store’s specific hours online or call ahead before you head out. Urban shoppers have more flexibility; rural shoppers should plan to stock up earlier in the weekend or accept limited choices on the day itself.

Frequently asked questions

Do shops stay open on Easter Monday?

Yes, most major supermarkets open on Easter Monday in Ireland. Lidl, Aldi, Dunnes, Tesco, and SuperValu all operate on this bank holiday, though with reduced hours (typically 9am to 7pm or 9pm rather than normal trading hours).

Are Lidl and Aldi open on Easter Sunday?

Both Lidl and Aldi close on Easter Sunday. Aldi shuts all 166 of its Irish branches on Easter Sunday, while Lidl operates reduced hours from 09:00 to 18:00 before reopening fully on Easter Monday.

Is Tesco open on Easter Sunday in Ireland?

Selected Tesco branches shut on Easter Sunday. The chain typically opens again on Easter Monday with reduced hours around 9am to 8pm, though individual stores may vary from this pattern.

Are Dunnes stores closed on Easter Sunday?

Dunnes Stores closes all 138 of its Irish branches on Easter Sunday. Most reopen on Easter Monday from 9am to 7pm, though customers should check with their local store for exact hours.

Is SuperValu open Easter Sunday?

SuperValu stores typically follow their Sunday schedule on Easter Sunday, which means many are closed or open only for limited hours. On Easter Monday, SuperValu maintains its Sunday schedule again, with significant variation between individual branches.

Is Lidl open Easter Sunday?

Yes, Lidl opens on Easter Sunday with reduced hours of 09:00–18:00. This is confirmed on the official Lidl Ireland Easter opening hours page. Lidl then returns to normal hours the following Tuesday after Easter Monday.

What are Easter supermarket opening hours for Dunnes and Tesco?

Dunnes and Tesco both operate reduced hours on Easter Monday—typically opening around 9am and closing between 7pm and 8pm. Easter Sunday is a different story, with many Dunnes stores and selected Tesco branches closed. Individual branch variations apply, so checking ahead is recommended.


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Irish families often cross-check Easter Sunday supermarket hours before tackling Easter Monday’s bank holiday shopping with reduced schedules.