Diwali 2026 in Ireland: Lakshmi Puja Muhurat City by City, Dhanteras Times and Temples

Quick answer

Diwali (Lakshmi Puja) 2026 in Ireland is on Sunday 8 November. In Dublin the Lakshmi Puja muhurat is 4:52 PM – 6:27 PM, and Dhanteras is on Friday 6 November. Cork, Limerick, Galway and Belfast have their own windows, all in the table below.

Editor's note: This page was last checked on 10 October 2026. The local times were calculated by HinduTone using the Drik Panchang method (Pradosh Kaal with the Vrishabha lagna) for each city's own sunset and longitude, and checked against Drik Panchang for major world cities to within one to two minutes. They are not India's times converted to Irish time. We describe 2026 events only when the organiser has announced them, and we list temples only where we could confirm them from their own site, a government listing or a news report. Please confirm the muhurat and programme with your temple.

Diwali in Ireland has a character of its own. It arrives barely a week after Halloween and the October bank holiday, when the clocks have just gone back and the evenings close in before five. The Hindu community has more than doubled in six years, most of it young and recently arrived, so for many families this is one of their first few Diwalis away from India. The island also spans two jurisdictions: Dublin, Cork, Limerick and Galway are in the Republic, while Belfast is in the United Kingdom, with its own fireworks law. This guide covers all five cities, north and south.

Diwali 2026 in Ireland: the five days

These are the dates in India from Drik Panchang. In 2026 the main night, Sunday 8 November, is the same date in Ireland and India, and morning traditions such as the Tamil Deepavali oil bath and Narak Chaturdashi also fall on that Sunday. For Govardhan Puja and Bhai Dooj, the dates above are India's; temples in Ireland may announce their own day, so check before you plan a visit.

Behind the five days lie several stories. Diwali marks Rama's return to Ayodhya after defeating Ravana, when the city lit rows of lamps to welcome him. Narak Chaturdashi recalls Krishna's victory over the demon Narakasura. On Amavasya night, Lakshmi is worshipped for prosperity and well-being. Bali Pratipada remembers King Bali, whom Vamana sent to the netherworld but allowed to return once a year. Bengali families worship Kali on the same night, Jains mark the Nirvana of Bhagwan Mahavira, and Sikhs celebrate Bandi Chhor Divas. For the full story of each day, read our guide to the 5 days of Diwali.

Lakshmi Puja muhurat 2026, city by city

All times below were calculated by HinduTone using the Drik Panchang method (Pradosh Kaal with the Vrishabha lagna); checked against Drik Panchang for major world cities to within one to two minutes; confirm with your temple. They are in local time: GMT in both the Republic and Northern Ireland, since summer time ended on Sunday 25 October 2026.

Sunset in each city, which marks the start of Pradosh Kaal:

What is Pradosh Kaal? Pradosh is the evening period that begins at sunset. Scripture places Lakshmi Puja on Amavasya in this window, when the day ends and the lamps are lit. On 8 November the Amavasya tithi (11:27 AM IST on 8 November to 12:31 PM IST on 9 November, in India's time) covers the whole of every Irish city's Pradosh, so there is no doubt about the date.

What is the Vrishabha lagna? The lagna is the zodiac sign rising on the eastern horizon, and it changes about every two hours. Vrishabha (Taurus) is a "fixed" sign, and tradition holds that Lakshmi worshipped while a fixed sign rises will stay in the home. The best muhurat is where Pradosh and Vrishabha overlap, which is the Lakshmi Puja window in the table.

Because Ireland lies so far west, the differences between cities are noticeable. Belfast has the earliest window, from 4:45 PM, and Cork the latest, from 5:07 PM: about 22 minutes apart on the same evening. Use the time for the city where you will actually do the puja. For other European cities, see our Europe city-wise Lakshmi Puja muhurat.

The Hindu community in Ireland

Ireland's Hindu community has grown very quickly. According to Census 2022, as reported by The Irish Times, the number of Hindus in the Republic more than doubled from 13,729 in 2016 to 33,043 in 2022, and only about a quarter of them were Irish citizens. The Central Statistics Office found that the Hindu share was highest among people aged 25 to 29, at over 2%, and that almost half of Indian citizens living in Ireland were Hindu.

In practice this is a young, recently arrived community: students who came for university and stayed, professionals and their families, and a new generation of children growing up in Ireland. Families come from many parts of India, north and south, and speak many languages at home. Not every Hindu in Ireland is of Indian origin either: in Cork, for example, a Bangladeshi Hindu community has organised its own Durga Puja. Belfast's community is older: the Indian Community Centre there dates back to 1981. Northern Ireland figures come from a different census, which we have not included here.

Where to celebrate: temples and community organisations

We list only temples and organisations we could confirm from their own site, an official listing or a news report, with name and area only. Check their websites and social pages for hours and Diwali plans. Temples and community associations usually announce Diwali programmes from mid-October — check their websites and social pages. We have not found any 2026 Diwali event announced with a date and venue at the time of writing.

Dublin

Dublin has most of the country's Hindu community and its permanent temples. Dublin's Lakshmi Puja window on 8 November is 4:52 PM – 6:27 PM.

• Vedic Hindu Cultural Centre Ireland (VHCCI) — Walkinstown, Dublin 12. Its temple opened on 22 August 2020 and was described at the time as Ireland's first Hindu temple.
• Ireland Vinayaka Temple — Kingswood Community Centre, Dublin 24. A temple dedicated to Lord Vinayaka (Ganesha).
• ISKCON Dublin (Hare Krishna temple) — Middle Abbey Street, Dublin city centre, above Govinda's restaurant.

At Diwali, Dublin temples typically hold Lakshmi Puja and aarti on the evening itself, with prasad and often a cultural programme on the nearest weekend. Since 8 November is a Sunday, some may combine both on the same day.

Cork

We could not confirm a permanent Hindu temple in Cork. Community life runs through associations and student groups. Cork's Lakshmi Puja window is 5:07 PM – 6:44 PM, the latest of the five cities.

• Bangladeshi Hindu Community Cork — Cork city. The group held Durga Puja at Lough Scout Hall in 2022.
• UCC Indian Society — University College Cork. In past years it has hosted a Diwali celebration on campus with dance and a cultural show.

Limerick

Limerick's Lakshmi Puja window is 5:04 PM – 6:40 PM. Limerick City and County Council's interfaith listings include a Hindu Vinayaka Temple in Limerick. The listing gives no details, so contact the temple or the university Indian societies in the city to find out about Diwali puja.

Galway

Galway's Lakshmi Puja window is 5:03 PM – 6:38 PM. The city has a long-running community Diwali.

• Galway Indian community — Galway city. In past years it has held an annual Diwali celebration; in November 2024, Galway Bay FM reported its 18th, at the Ardilaun Hotel.
• University of Galway India Society — University of Galway. The student society marks Diwali, Holi and Bollywood nights each year.

Belfast

Belfast's Lakshmi Puja window is 4:45 PM – 6:17 PM, the earliest on the island.

• Indian Community Centre — Clifton Street, North Belfast. A voluntary organisation established in 1981 in a listed former Sunday School; the building houses Northern Ireland's Hindu temple, and the centre has a history of Diwali celebrations.

For more on Belfast and the north, see our Dussehra 2026 guide for Ireland, which covers the same cities.

Celebrating at home in Ireland

Many families in Ireland live in apartments, house-shares or rented homes some way from a temple, so the home puja matters. A short Lakshmi Puja vidhi to do within your city's window:

• Clean the home and the puja space during the day, and make a rangoli at the door.
• Set out a red or yellow cloth with Lakshmi and Ganesha (an image is fine), a kalash of water, rice, coins or jewellery, sweets and flowers.
• Light the main diya, pray to Ganesha first, then offer Lakshmi kumkum, haldi, akshat, flowers and naivedya.
• Chant a simple mantra such as "Om Shreem Mahalakshmyai Namah" or read the Lakshmi Ashtakam, then perform aarti.
• Light diyas around the home, share prasad, and keep one lamp burning safely while you are in the room.

For the full step-by-step method, see our Lakshmi Puja 2026 vidhi.

Diyas, smoke alarms and rented homes. Irish homes, especially apartments, have smoke alarms that can be set off by camphor, incense and ghee lamps. Keep the puja near a window you can open, use a few real diyas for the puja itself and LED diyas or fairy lights for the rest of the home, and never leave a flame unattended or near curtains. Check your lease and any apartment management rules about candles and open flames before you plan, and tell your neighbours if you will have guests.

Weather. Early November in Ireland is usually mild but damp, windy and dark, and on Diwali evening the sun has set before five in every city. Outdoor diyas on a windowsill or balcony will struggle in wind and rain, so lanterns with glass or electric lights work better outside. Plan the puja for indoors, and dress warmly for any evening temple visit.

Food and decorations you can find locally

Indian grocers are found in Dublin and in Cork, Limerick, Galway and Belfast, and stock diyas, ghee, kumkum, agarbatti, dry fruits and mithai ingredients. Fresh marigolds are harder to find in November, so many families use other flowers from a supermarket or florist, or paper and silk garlands. Order sweets early if you want them from an Indian sweet maker, as demand peaks on the weekend before Diwali. Coloured rice or chalk makes an easy rangoli on a doorstep.

Diwali with children and second-generation families

For children growing up in Ireland, Diwali sits between Halloween and Christmas, and it helps to give it its own place in their year. Because 8 November 2026 is a Sunday, families can do the puja together in the late afternoon and still be ready for school on Monday. Dhanteras on Friday 6 November and the rest of the week are normal working and school days in both the Republic and Northern Ireland, so plan any extra observances for the evenings.

• Ask your child's school whether they would welcome a short talk or a rangoli and diya activity in class.
• Let children make their own rangoli, decorate LED diyas, or help prepare a simple sweet.
• Tell one story each day of the five days, in your heritage language if you can: Tamil, Telugu, Hindi, Gujarati, Bengali, Malayalam or any other.
• Join a temple or community programme so children meet others celebrating the same festival.
• Call grandparents in India during the puja, so children can hear the mantras and greetings in the family's own language.

Fireworks, safety and local rules

Republic of Ireland. The rules are strict. According to the Department of Justice's statement on fireworks legislation, only Category F1 fireworks, such as sparklers, party poppers and Christmas crackers, may be sold to the public, and only to people over 12. Category F2 and F3 fireworks are restricted to professional operators for public displays, and possessing fireworks bought legally abroad and brought into the State is illegal; Gardaí confiscate them and people may be prosecuted. Do not bring fireworks back from a trip to India or elsewhere.

Northern Ireland. According to nidirect, you need a valid fireworks licence to buy, possess or use fireworks other than indoor fireworks and sparklers, and offences carry a maximum fine of £5,000, three months in prison, or both.

The safest way to celebrate is with lamps and electric lights at home and to enjoy any professional display that an organiser arranges. Sky lanterns and open-flame decorations are not covered by these documents, so check guidance from your local authority or fire service before using them, and keep children well back from sparklers, holding them at arm's length and dropping used ones into a bucket of water.

Celebrating far from family

With so many recent arrivals, many people in Ireland will spend Diwali away from parents and siblings. A few ways to make it feel like home:

• Watch online darshan or live aarti from a temple in your home town in India; check the time difference first, since India's evening puja falls in the Irish afternoon.
• Do the puja on a video call with family, each household lighting its own lamp at its own local muhurat.
• Invite friends, flatmates or colleagues who are also far from home for a shared puja and meal.
• Volunteer at a temple, or give food or a donation to a local food bank or charity as Diwali seva.

Diwali checklist for Ireland

• Note your city's Lakshmi Puja window for Sunday 8 November from the table above.
• Note the Dhanteras puja time for Friday 6 November and plan to be home from work in time.
• Check your temple's or association's website for its Diwali programme from mid-October.
• Buy diyas, ghee, kumkum and sweets ingredients from an Indian grocer a week ahead.
• Test your smoke alarm, keep the puja near an openable window, and use LED lights elsewhere.
• Check your lease or apartment rules on candles and open flames.
• Prepare warm clothes and rain gear for evening temple visits.
• Leave fireworks at home: follow the rules in the Republic and in Northern Ireland.
• Schedule a video call with family in India around your puja time.
• Plan a story or craft each day for the children.

Frequently asked questions

When is Diwali 2026 in Ireland?

Lakshmi Puja is on the evening of Sunday 8 November 2026 in every Irish city, including Belfast. Dhanteras is Friday 6 November. The Amavasya tithi runs from 11:27 AM IST on 8 November to 12:31 PM IST on 9 November in India's time, and in Ireland the whole Pradosh Kaal of 8 November falls inside it.

What is the Lakshmi Puja muhurat in Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Galway and Belfast?

Calculated by HinduTone using the Drik Panchang method for Sunday 8 November 2026: Dublin 4:52 PM – 6:27 PM, Cork 5:07 PM – 6:44 PM, Limerick 5:04 PM – 6:40 PM, Galway 5:03 PM – 6:38 PM and Belfast 4:45 PM – 6:17 PM. Confirm with your temple.

Is Diwali a public holiday in Ireland?

No. The Workplace Relations Commission's list of 2026 public holidays has no Diwali holiday and nothing in November; the nearest is the October bank holiday on Monday 26 October. In 2026 Lakshmi Puja falls on a Sunday, but the rest of the week, including Dhanteras on Friday 6 November, is a normal working and school week. Northern Ireland has no Diwali holiday either.

Can I light sparklers or fireworks for Diwali in Ireland?

In the Republic, the Department of Justice says only Category F1 items such as sparklers and party poppers may be sold to the public, to people over 12; other fireworks are restricted to professional display operators, and possessing fireworks bought abroad is illegal. In Northern Ireland, nidirect says you need a fireworks licence to buy, possess or use fireworks other than indoor fireworks and sparklers. Leave rockets and display fireworks to licensed organisers.

Why are Irish Lakshmi Puja times so early in the evening?

Clocks went back on 25 October, and by early November the sun sets in Ireland between 4:34 PM (Belfast) and 4:54 PM (Cork). Pradosh Kaal starts at sunset, and the Vrishabha lagna rises soon after, so the puja window opens before many people have finished work on a weekday. In 2026, because 8 November is a Sunday, most families can be home in time.

Should I use India's Lakshmi Puja time and convert it to Irish time?

No. The muhurat depends on your own sunset and on when Vrishabha rises at your longitude, so India's window shifted by the time difference would be wrong. Use your own city's time from the table on this page or your temple's calendar.

Related guides

• Diwali / Deepavali 2026: complete 5-day guide
• The 5 days of Diwali 2026 explained
• Lakshmi Puja 2026: date, muhurat and step-by-step vidhi
• Lakshmi Puja muhurat 2026 in Europe, city-wise
• Diwali 2026 in the UK and London
• Diwali 2026 in the Netherlands: Lakshmi Puja muhurat city by city

Sources

• Central Statistics Office (CSO): Census of Population 2022 Profile 5 — Religion
• The Irish Times: Census 2022: Catholicism declines, no religion and Hinduism climb in latest data (30 May 2023)
• Workplace Relations Commission: Public holidays
• TheJournal.ie: Ireland's first Hindu temple opens in Dublin (2020)
• Ireland Vinayaka Temple: Visit us
• ISKCON News: ISKCON Dublin: A Temple for Devotees, by Devotees (2009)
• Great Place North Belfast: Indian Community Centre
• Limerick City and County Council: Interfaith listings
• Galway Bay FM: Diwali celebrations to take place in Galway city this Saturday (2024)
• University of Galway Societies: India Society
• The Echo (Cork): Hindu festival celebrated in Cork (2022)
• The Echo (Cork): Festival of Diwali is celebrated at UCC (2024)
• Department of Justice, Government of Ireland: General response on fireworks legislation in Ireland (March 2022)
• nidirect (NI Government): Fireworks
• Muhurat: HinduTone calculation (Drik Panchang method)