Some insights about the National Holiday in Ireland on the 3rd of June, 2013

When you are visiting Ireland you will experience a national holiday, the so-called June Bank Holiday. This national holiday (Irish: Lá Saoire i mí Mheitheamh) is celebrated in Ireland every year on the first Monday of June.
But what do the people do on the June Bank Holiday? The answer is simple: The people take time to enjoy the spring weather to attend local cultural and sporting events. We all know there are not that many sunny days in Ireland (no wonder why the landscape is so green) during the year so it is no surprise they celebrate a spring weather day and enjoy the great outdoors.
Especially in June Ireland's weather is often mild and pleasant. Hence, many people spend time outside over the June Holiday weekend. Popular activities and events include:

• Picnics and barbecues
• Open-air concerts of traditional or modern music
• Family camping, walking or sailing weekends
• Arts, cultural and musical festivals around the country
• Marathons and other sporting events
• Agricultural and garden shows
• Other people use the June Holiday weekend take a short early summer break or vacation in Ireland or abroad

Public life is generally quiet on the first Monday of June. Banks, post offices and many businesses and organizations are closed. However, stores and pubs are generally open, although they may open later and close earlier than usual.

But where has this holiday its origin? The day after Pentecost was traditionally a holiday known as Pentecost Monday or Whit Monday. This enabled people to attend extra church services and organize local fairs and cultural events. Pentecost Monday became a public holiday following the Bank Holidays Act 1871. Following the Holidays (Employees) Act 1973, this holiday was moved to the First Monday of June. The new date was first observed in 1974.

(Picture and information are taken from http://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/ireland/june-bank-holiday)