Most Irish construction sites effectively stop twice a year: around Christmas and during the summer. The dates are agreed annually between the CIF and trade unions, and while not legally mandated, they are commonly observed on CIF and unionised sites.
The traps are not in the shutdowns themselves — everyone expects those. The traps are in what happens around them: payment applications that need to be brought forward, subcontractors who are not automatically bound, and defects liability periods that may or may not exclude the shutdown depending on your contract wording.
For detailed day-counting rules, see the Technical Reference page.
2026 Shutdown Dates
Based on the agreed industry calendar:
- Summer 2026: Monday 20 July to Friday 31 July (2 weeks)
Christmas 2026 dates have not yet been confirmed in publicly available sources at the time of writing. Check the CIF or Connect Trade Union 2026/2027 calendar for the confirmed Christmas shutdown dates before relying on them.
Typical patterns:
- Christmas shutdown: around two weeks spanning Christmas and New Year.
- Summer shutdown: two weeks in late July or early August.
Quirk #1: subcontractors are not automatically bound
Main contractor shutdowns do not automatically bind subcontractors unless their contracts say so. This is where disputes start:
- A subcontractor may be contractually entitled to work during the shutdown.
- Retention release dates can fall inside shutdown windows.
- Programme float can be consumed by the shutdown if it was not accounted for.
- Subcontract variations may trigger premium rates for holiday work.
If you are a main contractor, check whether your subcontracts mirror the shutdown clause. If you are a subcontractor, check whether you agreed to one.
Quirk #2: payment cycles need to shift around shutdowns
The Construction Contracts Act 2013 timelines do not pause for shutdowns, so cash flow planning needs to account for the gap:
- Interim payment applications often need to be brought forward before the shutdown starts.
- Final account deadlines may need adjustment.
- If a payment notice or pay-less notice falls during the shutdown, the statutory clock keeps running even if no one is in the office to respond.
Quirk #3: "working day" definitions may or may not exclude shutdowns
Whether a shutdown period counts as non-working time depends entirely on the contract:
- Extension of time clauses usually anticipate shutdowns — but check the drafting.
- Liquidated damages calculations typically exclude shutdown days if the contract defines them as non-working time.
- Defects liability periods may or may not exclude shutdown days — do not assume.
Non-CIF Sites and Exceptions
Some sites continue working during shutdown periods (data centres, emergency works, critical infrastructure), but:
- Premium rates may apply.
- Skeleton crews can create safety and coordination risk.
- Planning conditions may restrict work during the period anyway.
Need to count working days around a shutdown? Use the calculator to validate your timeline.
Try it -> Open the calculator
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is the shutdown legally required? A: No. It is an agreed industry practice, not a statutory closure. It is commonly observed on CIF and unionised sites.
Q: What if my project is already behind schedule? A: The shutdown still applies unless the contract allows otherwise. Plan for compression or early finishes rather than relying on holiday work.
Q: Do office staff follow the same shutdown? A: Often, but not always. Administrative teams may return earlier than site crews.
Q: How do shutdown dates affect defects liability periods? A: Only if the contract definition of "working days" excludes shutdown days. Check the contract rather than assuming.
Sources & Further Reading:
- Construction Industry Federation (CIF)
- Sectoral Employment Orders - Construction
- Construction Contracts Act 2013
Last updated: 20 March 2026. This guide is for informational purposes only. Always verify deadlines with official sources before making critical decisions.