Here’s how you can turn 20 annual leave days into 46 in 2023

If you’re still reluctantly attempting to get back into the flow of the working world — all while tirelessly counting down the hours to the weekend — allow this article to be your saving grace.

Whether those precious Christmas weeks spent leisurely stretched out in front of the fireplace gave you a newfound appreciation for quiet contentment, or your feet are positively itching to walk along faroff shores, you’re going to want to spend your annual leave entitlements wisely this year.

So, if you work Monday through Friday, we suspect you’ll be elated to learn that just 20 days of annual leave can be transformed into a whopping 46 days off with minimal effort.

Without further ado, here’s exactly how you can maximise your annual leave throughout 2023…

Saint Brigid’s Day

In days gone by, the first bank holiday of the year didn’t make its way around until Saint Patrick’s Day on March 17, but 2023’s a little different. A new public holiday celebrating Saint Brigid’s Day or Imbolc, the traditional beginning of the Celtic new year, is set to take place on Monday 6 February. The first Irish holiday to be named after a woman, you just need to book off four days — Tuesday 7 February to Friday 10 February — to earn yourself nine whole days away from work.

Saint Patrick’s Day

This year, Paddy’s Day falls on a Friday, so whether you fancied celebrating the festivities overseas or leaning into that ineffable feeling of patriotism on Irish soil, you can book off the four days leading up to it — Monday 13 March to Thursday 16 March — to get nine days away from the office. Subtle reminder: Mother’s Day is on Sunday 19 March, so jot that down in your calendar to keep disappointment to a minimum.

Easter

Over the course of Easter, you can swing 10 whole days off work by using just four of your annual leave entitlements. Since Good Friday falls on 7 April — with Easter Monday on 10 April — you’ve just got to book off the four days in the lead up and you’ve got yourself quite the holiday.

Summer

Dreaming of a holiday in the sun? If you fancy spending some well-earned time stretched out on the beach, rather than in front of the television, you’ll just need to book off four days — Tuesday 2 May to Friday 5 May — to take good advantage of the May bank holiday on the first of the month.

Same goes for the months of June and August, so you’ve got ample opportunity to rack up plenty of vitamin D if you so desire. The June bank holiday falls on Monday 5 June, while August’s bank holiday falls on Monday 7.

Halloween

Whether there’s a spooktacular event you’ve always wanted to experience, or you want to embark on a staycation away from all things spooky, you can enjoy nine whole days away from the working realm by booking off four annual leave days. The October bank holiday falls on Monday 30 October, so just book off the rest of the week and Bob’s your uncle.

Christmas

And just like that, we’ve come full circle once again. The month of December enjoys two bank holidays — Christmas Day and Stephen’s Day — so you’ve just got to book three annual leave days to make it to 2024, if you’re currently in a place where you can digest such information without spiralling into existential turmoil.

Book those annual leave days in nice and early, and enjoy every minute of peaceful contentment you can in 2023. Here’s to a restful New Year!