Ireland awareness days and key dates

Monday 1 May 2028

• Early May bank holiday

  Public holidays

  A bank holiday across the UK.

Tuesday 2 May 2028

• World Asthma Day

  Awareness

  A global day on the first Tuesday of May that raises awareness of asthma and better care for people living with it.

• World Tuna Day

  Awareness

  World Tuna Day on 2 May highlights the importance of sustainable tuna fishing for food security and the economy.

Wednesday 3 May 2028

• World Maternal Mental Health Day

  Awareness

  A global day on the first Wednesday of May that raises awareness of mental health during pregnancy and the first year after birth.

• World Press Freedom Day

  Awareness

  World Press Freedom Day on 3 May defends media independence and honours journalists who have lost their lives doing their job.

Thursday 4 May 2028

• Alzheimer's Tea Day (Ireland)

  Awareness

  Alzheimer Society of Ireland fundraising and awareness day held in early May, where people host a cup of tea for dementia support. In 2026 it was Thursday 7 May.

Friday 5 May 2028

• African World Heritage Day

  Awareness

  A UNESCO day on 5 May that celebrates Africa's natural and cultural heritage and supports its protection.

• Eid al-Adha

  Religious and cultural

  Eid al-Adha is the Muslim festival of sacrifice, held during the Hajj pilgrimage season on the tenth day of Dhul Hijjah.

• International Day of the Midwife

  Awareness

  A global day on 5 May celebrating midwives and calling for more investment in midwifery.

• World Hand Hygiene Day

  Awareness

  Held on 5 May each year, WHO's day for promoting clean hands in health care to prevent infections picked up during treatment.

• World Portuguese Language Day

  Awareness

  World Portuguese Language Day on 5 May celebrates the Portuguese language and the cultures of Portuguese-speaking countries.

Sunday 7 May 2028

• International Compost Awareness Week

  Awareness7 to 13 May 2028

  A week in early May that promotes composting and the use of compost to improve soil and cut waste.

• International Dawn Chorus Day

  Awareness

  A celebration of birdsong held on the first Sunday in May, when people get up early to listen to the dawn chorus.

Monday 8 May 2028

• International Thalassaemia Day

  Awareness

  Marked on 8 May, this day raises awareness of thalassaemia, an inherited blood disorder, and supports patients and better access to care.

• Time of Remembrance and Reconciliation for Those Who Lost Their Lives During the Second World War

  Awareness8 to 9 May 2028

  On 8 and 9 May the UN remembers all victims of the Second World War, alongside national victory and liberation days.

• World Ovarian Cancer Day

  Awareness

  A global day on 8 May that unites patient groups to raise awareness of ovarian cancer and push for earlier diagnosis.

Wednesday 10 May 2028

• International Day of Argania

  Awareness

  The International Day of Argania on 10 May recognises the argan tree and its value for biodiversity and for rural women in Morocco.

• World Lupus Day

  Awareness

  A global day on 10 May that raises awareness of lupus and calls for earlier diagnosis, better care and more research.

Friday 12 May 2028

• International Day of Plant Health

  Awareness

  The International Day of Plant Health on 12 May shows how protecting plants from pests and disease helps end hunger and protect nature.

• International Nurses Day

  Awareness

  A global day on 12 May, Florence Nightingale's birthday, recognising the work of nurses.

• ME Awareness Day

  Awareness

  A day on 12 May that raises awareness of myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME/CFS), also marked worldwide as World ME Day.

Saturday 13 May 2028

• Bike Week (Ireland)

  Awareness13 to 21 May 2028

  Nine day cycling promotion with events in every local authority area. In 2026 it ran from 9 to 17 May.

• Darkness into Light

  Awareness

  Pieta's overnight walk and run held at dawn in May to raise awareness of suicide and self-harm. The 2026 event took place on 9 May.

• World Fair Trade Day

  Awareness

  Held on the second Saturday of May to celebrate fair trade and the producers, makers and businesses that work to its principles.

• World Migratory Bird Day (May)

  Awareness

  World Migratory Bird Day is held twice a year, on the second Saturday of May and October, to raise awareness of migratory birds and their protection.

Monday 15 May 2028

• Hello, How Are You? Day

  Awareness

  Mental Health Ireland's national day encouraging people to ask each other how they are and listen. It was held on 15 May in 2026.

• International Day of Families

  Awareness

  The International Day of Families on 15 May raises awareness of the social, economic and demographic issues that affect families.

• National Water Safety Awareness Week (Ireland)

  Awareness15 to 21 May 2028

  Water Safety Ireland's annual campaign promoting safe behaviour in and around water. The 2026 week ran from 18 to 24 May.

• Traveller Pride Week

  Awareness15 to 21 May 2028

  Annual celebration of Traveller culture and identity held in May, led by a steering committee of Traveller organisations. The 2025 programme ran from 19 to 30 May.

Tuesday 16 May 2028

• International Day of Light

  Awareness

  The International Day of Light on 16 May celebrates the role of light in science, culture, education and sustainable development.

• International Day of Living Together in Peace

  Awareness

  The International Day of Living Together in Peace on 16 May encourages people to accept differences and live together in unity and harmony.

Wednesday 17 May 2028

• International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia

  Awareness

  A global day on 17 May standing in solidarity with LGBTQIA+ people and opposing discrimination.

• World Hypertension Day

  Awareness

  A global day on 17 May that encourages people to check their blood pressure and to prevent and control high blood pressure.

• World Telecommunication and Information Society Day

  Awareness

  World Telecommunication and Information Society Day on 17 May explores how the internet and digital technology can benefit society and close the digital divide.

Thursday 18 May 2028

• Global Accessibility Awareness Day

  Awareness

  A global day on the third Thursday of May encouraging everyone to think and learn about digital access and inclusion.

• International Museum Day

  Awareness

  International Museum Day on 18 May highlights the role of museums in society, with museums worldwide running events around a yearly theme.

Friday 19 May 2028

• National Biodiversity Week (Ireland)

  Awareness19 to 28 May 2028

  Ten day programme of nature events across Ireland each May. In 2026 it ran from 15 to 24 May.

• World Fair Play Day

  Awareness

  World Fair Play Day on 19 May promotes respect, inclusion and fairness in sport, and opposes violence and doping.

Saturday 20 May 2028

• International Clinical Trials Day

  Awareness

  A day on 20 May recognising clinical research and the people who take part in trials.

• Organ Donor Awareness Week (Ireland)

  Awareness20 to 27 May 2028

  Irish Kidney Association awareness week held each May to encourage families to talk about organ donation. In 2026 it ran from 16 to 23 May.

• World Bee Day

  Awareness

  World Bee Day on 20 May raises awareness of bees and other pollinators and the need to protect them and their habitats.

• World Metrology Day

  Awareness

  Marked on 20 May each year to highlight the science of measurement and the anniversary of the Metre Convention of 1875.

Sunday 21 May 2028

• Children's Hospice Week (Ireland)

  Awareness21 to 27 May 2028

  LauraLynn awareness week about children's hospice and palliative care in Ireland, held in May. In 2026 it ran from 17 to 23 May.

• International Tea Day

  Awareness

  International Tea Day on 21 May celebrates tea's cultural heritage and promotes sustainable production and fair trade from field to cup.

• National Famine Commemoration (Ireland)

  Awareness

  Annual State event in May, held in a different county each year, remembering those who died or emigrated during the Great Famine.

• World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development

  Awareness

  On 21 May the UN celebrates the world's many cultures and the role of cultural dialogue in peace and development.

Monday 22 May 2028

• International Day for Biological Diversity

  Awareness

  The International Day for Biological Diversity on 22 May raises awareness of the loss of nature and the action needed to protect it.

Tuesday 23 May 2028

• International Day to End Obstetric Fistula

  Awareness

  The International Day to End Obstetric Fistula on 23 May calls for action on a preventable childbirth injury that leaves many women injured and isolated.

• World Turtle Day

  Awareness

  Held on 23 May, World Turtle Day raises awareness of turtles and tortoises and the threats to their survival and habitats.

Wednesday 24 May 2028

• International Day of the Markhor

  Awareness

  The International Day of the Markhor on 24 May raises awareness of a threatened wild mountain goat of Central and South Asia.

Thursday 25 May 2028

• Africa Day

  Religious and cultural

  Africa Day on 25 May marks the founding of the Organisation of African Unity in 1963 and celebrates African unity and heritage.

• Ascension Day

  Religious and cultural

  Ascension Day falls on a Thursday 39 days after Easter Sunday and marks Jesus ascending into heaven.

• Islamic New Year

  Religious and cultural

  Islamic New Year, the first day of the month of Muharram, begins the new year in the Islamic lunar calendar.

• Thy Kingdom Come

  Religious and cultural25 May to 4 June 2028

  A global Christian prayer movement held over the eleven days from Ascension Day to Pentecost each year.

• Week of Solidarity with the Peoples of Non-Self-Governing Territories

  Awareness25 to 31 May 2028

  From 25 to 31 May the UN marks a week of solidarity with the peoples of the territories that are not yet self-governing.

• World Football Day

  Awareness

  World Football Day on 25 May celebrates football as a tool for peace, inclusion and the empowerment of women and girls.

Sunday 28 May 2028

• Dragon Boat Festival

  Religious and cultural

  The Dragon Boat Festival falls on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month, usually in June, and is known for dragon boat races.

Monday 29 May 2028

• International Day of UN Peacekeepers

  Awareness

  The International Day of UN Peacekeepers on 29 May honours peacekeepers and remembers those who have died serving under the UN flag.

Tuesday 30 May 2028

• International Day of Potato

  Awareness

  The International Day of Potato on 30 May celebrates one of the world's most important food crops and the farmers who grow it.

• World MS Day

  Awareness

  A global awareness day for multiple sclerosis held on 30 May each year.

Wednesday 31 May 2028

• Shavuot

  Religious and cultural31 May to 1 June 2028

  Shavuot is a two-day Jewish festival, seven weeks after Passover, marking the giving of the Torah at Sinai.

• World No Tobacco Day

  Awareness

  World No Tobacco Day on 31 May raises awareness of the harm caused by tobacco and the tactics of the tobacco industry.