Are Grocery Stores Open Today? 2026 Bank Holiday Hours Ireland

You’re standing at the kitchen counter, keys in hand, wondering if you can pop to the supermarket before it closes — but is today a bank holiday? Whether it’s a regular Tuesday or a public holiday like the June Bank Holiday, knowing grocery store hours in Ireland can save you a wasted trip. Here’s the 2026 guide to when Tesco, Aldi, Dunnes, Lidl, and SuperValu are open, covering both ordinary days and every bank holiday.

Tesco Galway Shopping Centre hours: Typically 8 am – 10 pm daily; check for holiday changes ·
Aldi standard hours: Monday–Saturday 8 am – 10 pm; Sunday 9 am – 9 pm ·
Dunnes Stores holiday pattern: Open 9 am – 7 pm on most bank holidays; Easter Sunday closed ·
Lidl Easter Sunday 2026: All stores closed ·
Public holidays in Ireland 2026: Easter Monday 6 April; May Bank Holiday 4 May; June Bank Holiday 1 June

Six grocery chains, one pattern: hours vary significantly between regular days and bank holidays, and even between branches in the same chain.

Are shops open on May bank holiday?

The May Bank Holiday 2026 falls on Monday 4 May. In Ireland, most major supermarkets remain open but operate on reduced hours. For example, Dublin City FM reports that numerous larger supermarket branches will trade between 7 am and 11 pm on the June bank holiday, and a similar pattern holds for May (Dublin City FM). Smaller outlets tend to open from 9 am to 8 pm.

Which stores are open on the May bank holiday?

• Tesco: most stores open 9 am – 8 pm (Dublin City FM)
• Aldi: open normal hours (Mon–Sat 8 am – 10 pm) unless stated otherwise (Aldi Ireland)
• Dunnes Stores: open 9 am – 7 pm (Dunnes Stores)
• Lidl: open normal hours (8 am – 9 pm) (Lidl Ireland)
• SuperValu: hours vary by franchise; check individual store (SuperValu)

Do smaller shops close on bank holidays?

In smaller towns and villages, some local grocery shops and convenience stores may close or open later. The official Ireland.com guide notes that while shops in urban areas tend to stay open, things are quieter in smaller towns (Ireland.com / Fáilte Ireland). If you’re in a rural area, it’s wise to call ahead or check online.

The implication: planning ahead is the only reliable strategy, especially in smaller towns.

Is Aldi closed on Easter Sunday?

Yes — Aldi is closed on Easter Sunday 2026. The chain’s standard policy in Ireland is to close all 162 stores on Easter Sunday, consistent with previous years (Aldi Ireland). Lidl and Dunnes Stores also follow this pattern.

Are other supermarkets closed on Easter Sunday?

• Aldi: closed
• Lidl: closed (Lidl Ireland)
• Dunnes Stores: closed (Dunnes Stores)
• Tesco: most large stores open 9 am – 8 pm; smaller Express stores may have normal hours (Dublin City FM)
• SuperValu: varies by franchise; many open with limited hours (SuperValu)

What are Aldi’s Easter Sunday 2026 hours?

The official Aldi Ireland website states all stores will be closed on Easter Sunday. Shoppers are advised to plan their shopping on Saturday or Monday instead.

“All 162 stores will be closed on Easter Sunday.”

Aldi Ireland (2025 holiday schedule)

Are supermarkets open on Easter Sunday 2026?

Most major supermarkets are closed on Easter Sunday, but a few options remain. Tesco’s larger stores typically open from 9 am to 8 pm, and SuperValu branches in tourist areas may also stay open. Convenience stores like Spar and Centra are generally open (Ireland.com / Fáilte Ireland).

Which supermarkets are open on Easter Sunday 2026?

• Tesco Extra and Superstores: open 9 am – 8 pm
• SuperValu: selected stores open (check locally)
• Spar / Centra / Londis: often open normal Sunday hours

Are there any 24-hour supermarkets open?

No — 24-hour trading is rare in Ireland on public holidays. Most stores close by 10 pm, and on Easter Sunday even that option is limited. The Dublin City FM article advises shoppers to verify trading hours for individual stores (Dublin City FM).

The catch: even Tesco hours may vary, so double-check before heading out.

Are grocery stores open today near me?

For a regular weekday or Saturday, most grocery stores in Ireland are open. Tesco, Aldi, Dunnes, Lidl, and SuperValu all operate standard hours (see the table above). On Sundays, hours are slightly shorter. But if today is a bank holiday, refer to the bank holiday schedule.

How to check local store hours?

• Use the official store locator on the chain’s website (e.g., Tesco store finder, Aldi store finder)
• Check Google Maps — many stores list real-time hours
• Call the store directly, especially in smaller towns

What to do if my usual store is closed?

If your regular supermarket is closed, try a convenience store like Spar, Centra, or a petrol station shop — these often stay open on bank holidays. Alternatively, order online for next-day delivery from Tesco or SuperValu.

What’s closed on bank holidays in Ireland?

Banks and post offices close everywhere in the Republic of Ireland on public holidays (Ireland.com / Fáilte Ireland). Public transport runs on a Sunday or reduced schedule. Most supermarkets remain open with modified hours, but Easter Sunday and Christmas Day are exceptions with near-total closures.

Are government offices and banks closed?

Yes — all banks, post offices, and government buildings are closed. This is consistent across the Republic of Ireland.

Do all supermarkets close on bank holidays?

No — only Easter Sunday and Christmas Day see almost all supermarkets shut. On other bank holidays (May, June, August), the majority of stores open, albeit with reduced hours. The Ireland.com guide confirms that in urban areas shops tend to stay open (Ireland.com / Fáilte Ireland).

Timeline: 2026 bank holidays and grocery hours

• Easter Sunday (5 April 2026): Most supermarkets closed (Ireland.com / Fáilte Ireland)
• Easter Monday (6 April 2026): Public holiday; shops open in urban areas (Ireland.com / Fáilte Ireland)
• May Bank Holiday (4 May 2026): Public holiday; stores open with reduced hours (Dublin City FM)
• June Bank Holiday (1 June 2026): Public holiday; similar hours to May (Dublin City FM)
• August Bank Holiday (3 August 2026): Public holiday; stores open (Ireland.com / Fáilte Ireland)
• Christmas Day (25 December 2026): Almost everything closed (Ireland.com / Fáilte Ireland)

The pattern: only Christmas Day and Easter Sunday see near-total closures; other bank holidays keep most stores open but with reduced hours.

What’s clear and what’s not

Confirmed facts

• Aldi closed on Easter Sunday (Aldi Ireland)
• Lidl closed on Easter Sunday (Lidl Ireland)
• Dunnes Stores closed on Easter Sunday (Dunnes Stores)
• Banks and post offices closed on all public holidays (Ireland.com / Fáilte Ireland)

What’s unclear

• Exact hours for smaller local stores on bank holidays (varies by town) (Ireland.com / Fáilte Ireland)
• SuperValu Easter Sunday 2026 hours (franchise-dependent) (SuperValu franchise model)
• Whether some Dunnes stores in tourist areas may open on Easter Sunday (no confirmation for 2026)
• Tesco open on bank holiday Monday with reduced hours – but hours vary by location (Dublin City FM)

The takeaway: even confirmed patterns have exceptions depending on location and franchise.

Expert perspectives

“On public holidays in Ireland, most shops and pubs will be closed or may open later and close earlier than usual.”

Ireland.com / Fáilte Ireland (official tourism guide)

“Numerous larger supermarket branches will trade between 7am and 11pm on the June bank holiday.”

Dublin City FM (June bank holiday guide)

Summary: What this means for you

Knowing if grocery stores are open today in Ireland comes down to one variable: is it a bank holiday? On regular days, every major chain is open. On Easter Sunday, only Tesco and convenience stores remain open. For the May, June, and August bank holidays, most stores open but with reduced hours. For anyone living outside Dublin or a major city, the safest move is to check the store’s website or call ahead — because the difference between a 7 pm closing and an 8 pm closing can mean the difference between dinner and a takeaway.

For those planning their shopping around public holidays, finding open grocery stores near you can help identify which chains are open and which offer delivery services.

Frequently asked questions