Yesterday was St. Brigid's Day, or Imbolc in the Gaelic calendar, which traditionally marks the beginning of spring in Ireland. Usually the weather doesn't play along with this, but never mind. The weekend ahead will see many celebrations and events tied in with Ireland's only female patron saint, and Monday will see a second outing of the now annual Lá Fhéile Bríde, a national holiday.
As such, all local public libraries will be closed in the Republic of Ireland, as will archives and most national institutions and state agencies including the National Archives of Ireland and the National Library of Ireland (except exhibitions), schools and most businesses. Public transport schedules are also restricted.
All will return to normal opening hours and timetables on Tuesday morning.
This public holiday does not apply in Northern Ireland, where normal working hours will be the norm.