Costello calls for 12th of July to be made public holiday

Green Party TD Patrick Costello has called for the 12th of July to be made a public holiday in the Republic of Ireland.

In a statement, the TD has urged his Government colleagues to make the day a public holiday as the day is “an extremely important one historically for the island, and culturally for many people who live here.”

“We have seen the good work currently carried out by the Shared Island unit, building literal bridges between North and South. Efforts such as this would reaffirm a commitment to a sense of shared ownership and the history of Ireland.”

“Indeed, in Northern Ireland both the 12th and St Patrick’s Day are designated as public holidays, this too should be replicated here.”

Costello also noted the historic element of the day, pointing to significant landmarks in Ireland related to the Williamite War in Ireland, such as the Treaty Stone in Limerick or the site of the Battle of Aughrim in Galway.

Costello’s Green Party colleagues were instrumental in the introduction of St. Bridget’s Day, which was celebrated for the first time earlier this year, while Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald stated in 2021 that she supported the 12th of July being made a public holiday in Ireland.

Proposals to make 12th of July a public holiday were also raised by Fianna Fáil Senator (and then-TD) Malcolm Byrne in 2019.

Costello said “for too long, the Irish state sought to portray a single narrative of Irish history, one that was isolationist, militant nationalist and Catholic. We know that history is not black and white, we know there are numerous traditions on this island – if the Irish state truly aspires to unite all peoples of this island, then all of those people need to feel represented and included.”

“Designating the 12th of July as a public holiday would be a major step for that process.”

Should Costello’s proposal be implemented, this would bring the number of public holidays in Ireland up to 11, which would see Ireland overtake France and Denmark for most public holidays offered to citizens.