When Do the Clocks Change? 2026 Dates for Ireland & UK

There’s something about the clocks changing that catches us off guard every time, but for Ireland and the UK the dates are fixed: clocks go forward on March 29, 2026, and back on October 25, 2026. Here’s a clear guide to the 2026 changes with official sources and a look at why it happens.

Clocks forward in 2026: March 29 ·
Clocks back in 2026: October 25 ·
Spring time change: 1am becomes 2am ·
Fall time change: 2am becomes 1am

Five key facts, one pattern: every year since 1996, Ireland and the UK follow the same last-Sunday rule for clock changes.

When do the clocks go forward?

Spring forward date in 2026

• According to Wikipedia (online encyclopedia), clocks move forward one hour on Sunday, 29 March 2026 at 01:00 UTC-equivalent, marking the start of Irish summer time (IST).
• A secondary calendar listing confirms the same date: 29 March 2026 (holidays-info.com (public holiday calendar)).

What time do clocks change in spring?

• The transition occurs at 1am local time. At that instant, the time changes from 12:59:59 to 2:00:00, skipping the hour between 1 and 2.
• This is coordinated across EU member states at 01:00 UTC, making the local clock-change instant differ by time zone (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia)).

What this means: The spring date is locked to the last Sunday of March – you can set your calendar years ahead. But the lost hour can catch commuters and parents off guard.

When do the clocks go back in 2026?

Fall back date in 2026

• According to Wikipedia (online encyclopedia), clocks move back one hour on Sunday, 25 October 2026 at 02:00 IST, returning to winter time/GMT.
• A Dublin-focused DST page lists 25 October 2026 as the end of daylight saving time in Ireland (holidays-info.com (public holiday calendar)).

What time do clocks change in autumn?

• The change happens at 2am local time. At 01:59:59, the clock jumps back to 01:00:00, repeating the hour between 1 and 2.
• This routine has been standard since DST harmonisation in 1996 (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia)).

The pattern: The autumn date is equally predictable: last Sunday of October. Mark October 25, 2026, for an extra hour – but note that sunrise suddenly seems an hour earlier.

Do the clocks go forward or back in October?

October time change direction

• In October, clocks go back by one hour. This is the end of daylight saving time – “fall back” (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia)).
• So you gain an extra hour of sleep that night.

Gain or lose an hour in October?

• You gain an hour. When clocks go back, 2am becomes 1am, meaning you get to live the 01:00-02:00 hour twice.
• This is the opposite of the spring change, where you lose an hour.

Why this matters: The direction confusion is the top question on search. If you assume “forward” in October, you’ll show up an hour early the next Monday. The rule: spring forward, fall back – and October is fall.

Do you get an extra hour in bed when the clocks go back?

Sleep benefit of falling back

• Yes. When clocks go back, you gain an extra hour (2am becomes 1am), so you can sleep until your usual wake-up time and still get 60 minutes more.
• The Sleep Health Foundation notes that the autumn change generally has less negative impact on sleep than the spring change (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia)).

Impact on sleep patterns

• While the extra hour is a bonus, some people still experience minor jet-lag effects for a day or two. The body’s circadian rhythm resets gradually.
• For children and early risers, the shift can mean waking up even earlier, so adjusting bedtime gradually can help.

The catch: The bonus hour is real, but it’s a one-off. By Tuesday night, your body will have adjusted, and the earlier sunset becomes the new normal.

Why do the clocks go back at 2am?

Historical reasons for 2am change

• The 2am time was chosen to minimise disruption to trains and early church services. It is a compromise that avoids changing the date and affects few people (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia)).
• The practice dates back to World War I and standardisation efforts. In Ireland and the UK, the 2am switch aligns with the European approach.

Minimising disruption

• Most people are asleep at 2am, so only overnight workers, emergency services, and broadcasters need to actively adjust. Rail schedules are planned around it.
• Choosing 1am (for spring) and 2am (for autumn) ensured minimal overlap with daily routines.

The implication: The 2am hour is a legacy of 20th-century logistics – and it still works because it interferes with fewer people than any other hour.

Daylight saving time begins on the last Sunday of March and ends on the last Sunday of October. The time changes occur at 1am and 2am respectively.

— Citizens Information (Irish government service)

The clocks go forward on the last Sunday of March and go back on the last Sunday of October. In 2026, this means 29 March and 25 October.

— UK Government (official UK guidance)

For those planning ahead, the detailed 2026 schedule for Ireland breaks down the exact spring and autumn transitions.

Frequently asked questions

For anyone in Ireland or the UK, the 2026 dates are set: mark March 29 and October 25 on your calendar. The choice is simple: set your clocks accordingly the night before, or risk showing up an hour early or late — and remember, in October you gain that hour back.