There are nine annual public holidays that commemorate either a special day in the Christian calendar or an event in national history. On a public holiday, the country falls into Sunday mode – pubs, bars, restaurants and cafes are open for business while everything else is closed. Public transport operates on a restricted service. As an employee, the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997, sets out your entitlement to public holidays and determines whether or not you are entitled to paid leave. Bear in mind that although schools are off and many businesses shut down for the day, Good Friday is not officially a public holiday in Ireland.