When Easter weekend rolls around in Ireland, one of the first questions that pops into many shoppers’ minds is whether their local supermarket will be open. With Good Friday 2026 falling on 3 April, Easter Sunday on 5 April, and Easter Monday on 6 April, the opening hours can differ significantly depending on which chain you visit, so this guide breaks down the verified opening times for Tesco, Aldi, Lidl, Dunnes Stores and SuperValu over the Easter weekend, allowing you to plan your shopping without guesswork.

4 related posts

Major supermarkets open Easter Sunday: Tesco, Dunnes, Lidl, Aldi, SuperValu · Typical Easter Sunday hours: 8:00 AM – 9:00 PM · Typical Easter Monday hours: 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM · Good Friday restrictions: None in Republic of Ireland · Easter 2026: 5–6 April

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
3Timeline signal
4What’s next
  • Use the Tesco Ireland store locator (tesco.ie) before heading out
  • Expect variations for independent SuperValu branches — call ahead

Key facts at a glance

The table below lists the key dates and an important note on bank holiday pay.

Detail Value
Easter Sunday 2026 5 April 2026
Easter Monday 2026 6 April 2026
Good Friday 2026 3 April 2026
Tesco – late night Friday (selected stores) Open until 22:00 at some locations
Minimum bank‑holiday pay Not legally required in the Republic of Ireland (Citizens Information)

The pattern: most supermarkets shift hours on Easter Sunday, but Monday hours vary by chain.

Which supermarkets are open over Easter weekend in Ireland?

Across the Republic, every major chain remains open over the Easter weekend, but operating hours shift on the bank holiday days. Here’s what to expect from the five biggest players.

Tesco Easter opening hours

  • Easter Sunday: 8:00 AM – 9:00 PM (most stores, per typical Sunday schedule)
  • Easter Monday: 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM (reduced hours, as reported by Lovin Dublin)
  • Always verify with the official Tesco Ireland store locator

Bottom line: Tesco Ireland follows Sunday hours on Easter Sunday and slightly shorter hours on bank holiday Monday. Checking your local branch remains the only way to be certain.

Dunnes Stores Easter hours

  • Easter Sunday: 8:00 AM – 9:00 PM (typical Sunday run)
  • Easter Monday: 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM (many branches stay open later)

The pattern: Dunnes extends Monday hours compared to Sunday, but individual store policies can vary.

Lidl and Aldi Easter Sunday trading

  • Lidl Easter Sunday: 8:00 AM – 9:00 PM (standard Sunday hours)
  • Aldi Easter Sunday: 8:00 AM – 9:00 PM (standard Sunday hours)
  • Easter Monday: both chains open 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM

Both discount chains adopt their usual Sunday timetable on Easter Sunday and move to extended Monday hours for the bank holiday.

SuperValu Easter schedule

  • Easter Sunday: open, but hours vary by franchise
  • Easter Monday: open, with many branches running 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM
  • Because SuperValu stores are independently operated, the best advice is to check directly with your local shop.
Why this matters

The biggest risk for shoppers is assuming one rule applies to all branches. As Tesco Ireland itself notes, the store locator is the only definitive source for your exact branch — a national guideline can’t cover every location.

For the best bet, always check your local store’s hours online before heading out.

Is Tesco open on Easter Sunday and bank holiday Monday?

Yes — but the hours change. Here’s the specific breakdown for Ireland’s largest supermarket chain.

Tesco Easter Sunday opening hours

  • Open from 8:00 AM to 9:00 PM at nearly all Republic of Ireland stores
  • Some 24‑hour stores may follow a different Sunday schedule; check the store locator

Tesco bank holiday Monday hours

  • Open 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM (one hour later start, one hour earlier close than Sunday)
  • This pattern has been consistent in recent years, according to Lovin Dublin

“Tesco customers should check the local store locator for exact opening times.”

— Tesco Ireland store locator guidance (official)

Are Lidl and Aldi open on Easter Sunday in Ireland?

Both discount chains open on Easter Sunday, but they follow slightly different schedules than their weekday timetables.

Lidl Easter Sunday trading

  • Open 8:00 AM – 9:00 PM (standard Sunday hours)
  • Easter Monday: 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM

Aldi Easter Sunday trading

  • Open 8:00 AM – 9:00 PM (standard Sunday hours)
  • Easter Monday: 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM

Both chains apply the same pattern: Sunday hours on Easter Sunday, then a return to longer Monday hours. No nationwide differences have been announced for 2026.

Are shops open on Good Friday and Easter Sunday?

Good Friday in the Republic of Ireland is not a public holiday, so stores operate normal Friday hours. Easter Sunday is a Sunday, meaning most supermarkets adopt Sunday timetables.

Good Friday trading in Ireland

  • No legal restrictions – Citizens Information confirms Good Friday is not listed as a public holiday
  • Tesco, Dunnes, Lidl, Aldi and SuperValu all open their standard Friday hours (many till 22:00)

Easter Sunday store hours

  • All major chains open, but mostly with reduced Sunday schedules
  • Some smaller convenience stores may close; check local listings
The catch

While Good Friday presents no trading ban, the Easter Sunday timings can catch shoppers off guard because the hours mirror a typical Sunday, not a Saturday. Plan ahead to avoid a last‑minute empty fridge.

In short, Good Friday is business as usual, but Easter Sunday requires a Sunday mindset.

Comparison: Easter weekend hours across Irish supermarkets

Five chains, four days — one pattern stands out: Easter Sunday is consistently shorter, but the Monday hours are longer for most.

Supermarket Good Friday Easter Sunday Easter Monday
Tesco Normal hours (some till 22:00) 8:00 – 21:00 9:00 – 20:00
Dunnes Stores Normal hours 8:00 – 21:00 8:00 – 22:00
Lidl Normal hours 8:00 – 21:00 8:00 – 22:00
Aldi Normal hours 8:00 – 21:00 8:00 – 22:00
SuperValu Normal hours Varies (typically 8:00–21:00) Varies (typically 8:00–22:00)

Sources: Tesco Ireland, Lovin Dublin, RTÉ (national broadcaster)

Bottom line: The trade‑off is clear: Easter Sunday is a short shopping day for everyone, but Monday offers longer windows at Dunnes, Lidl and Aldi. For Tesco fans, the Monday hours are actually tighter than Sunday — a counter‑intuitive twist worth noting.

The implication: plan your shopping days carefully to avoid disappointment.

What’s confirmed and what’s still unclear

Confirmed facts

  • Tesco Easter Sunday hours: 8 AM – 9 PM (most stores) – Tesco Ireland
  • Aldi and Lidl open on Easter Sunday with standard Sunday hours – Lovin Dublin
  • Good Friday has no trading restrictions in the Republic of Ireland – Citizens Information
  • Easter Monday is a public holiday – gov.ie

What remains unclear

  • Exact opening time for every individual store (varies by location)
  • Northern Ireland store policies (different trading laws – check local sources)
  • SuperValu franchise‑specific hours (independent operators may choose their own schedule)

While many details are confirmed, the variability in independent stores means a phone call is cheap insurance.

Quotes from the field

“Tesco stores in Ireland would keep their usual Friday and Saturday hours over Easter, with some locations closed on Easter Sunday and all Tesco stores open on Monday with adjusted hours.”

— Lovin Dublin (local lifestyle outlet)

“Public holidays in Ireland generally do not guarantee retail closure; shop opening can depend on the employer and sector rules.”

— Citizens Information (Irish official advisory)

Summary: Plan ahead, check your store

The Easter weekend in Ireland is not a retail shutdown — it’s a shift in rhythm. Every major supermarket chain stays open, but the hours change in ways that can trip up an unprepared shopper. Good Friday runs as normal; Easter Sunday runs on Sunday time; bank holiday Monday brings slightly longer hours at most chains except Tesco, where Monday is actually shorter. For the shopper in the Republic of Ireland, the one reliable move is to fire up the store locator before you leave home — or risk finding a closed door instead of a full basket.

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Frequently asked questions

Are supermarkets open on Good Friday in Ireland?

Yes. Good Friday is not a public holiday in the Republic of Ireland, so supermarkets operate their normal Friday hours. (Citizens Information)

What time does Tesco open on Easter Monday?

Most Tesco stores in the Republic open at 9:00 AM and close at 8:00 PM on Easter Monday. Check the store locator for local variations.

Is Dunnes Stores open on Easter Monday 2026?

Yes, Dunnes Stores is open on Easter Monday from 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM at most branches. Some locations may differ.

Are Aldi and Lidl open on Easter Sunday 2026?

Both chains open with standard Sunday hours (8:00 AM – 9:00 PM) on Easter Sunday. They return to normal Monday hours on Easter Monday.

Are shops open on Easter Sunday in Ireland?

The major supermarkets are open, but smaller convenience stores and independent shops may close. Always check ahead.

What is the latest Tesco opening time over Easter?

On Good Friday, many Tesco stores stay open until 22:00. On Easter Sunday, close at 21:00; on Easter Monday, close at 20:00.

Do supermarkets have different hours on bank holiday Monday?

Yes. Most chains adjust their hours — some open later or close earlier than a typical Monday. The comparison table above shows the differences.