Feb. 2, 2026

Why it’s a Public Holiday in Ireland today. #Audio365 29/365

Why it’s a Public Holiday in Ireland today.  #Audio365 29/365

You hear Paul O’Mahony using quotations from the Irish government announcement of a public holiday:
In January 2022, then-Tánaiste (Deputy Prime Minister) Leo Varadkar announced the new holiday, stating: "This new public holiday will be a national day to recognise the efforts of the general public, volunteers and all workers during the COVID-19 pandemic, and in remembrance of people who lost their lives due to the COVID-19 pandemic."

Paul argues that (unfortunately) the purpose of the public holiday is gradually being forgotten- being wiped from public consciousness.