Got an idea for a holiday? Send it to us

Submit Now

TueApr 1

Myles Day – April 1, 2025

Fans of Irish literature decided that Brian O’Nolan, a great Irish writer, should have a day of his own, and Myles Day, celebrated on April 1, was established. This is a reference to one of Brian O’Nolan’s characters: Myles gCopaleen. The name Myles, like Flann O’Brien and George Knowall, was one of many aliases O’Nolan used during his writing career. Myles O’Brian wrote short columns for “The Irish Times” from late 1940 to early 1966 and was very popular with readers.

History of Myles Day

Over the past 150 years, Ireland has proven itself to be the breadbasket of many brilliant writers: James Joyce, George Bernard Shaw, Oscar Wilde, Bram Stoker, W.B. Yeats, and Samuel Beckett, to name a few. In fact, the country’s literary history is much older and originates from the Celtic poets. Irish literature is the third oldest in Europe, being younger only than Greek and Latin literature.

A characteristic of Irish literature is that the writing varies between English and Gaelic. It is precisely this interplay of languages that so strongly marks the work of another great Irish author Brian O’Nolan.

A journalist, novelist, playwright, and satirist, O’Nolan wrote novels in English, columns in Gaelic, satirical plays, and even articles on thermodynamics and atomic theory that blended the two languages. Despite being one of the continuators of the literary innovations introduced by James Joyce, O’Nolan makes clear his differences from the author of the novel “Ulysses” in various works and public positions.

In 2011, the year that O’Nolan would celebrate his centenary, his fans decided to honor him with an afternoon of beer, performance, music, and literature. The meeting took place at the writer’s former ‘watering hole,” the Palace Bar on Fleet Street in Dublin.

The event was a great success and brought together writers, Irish literature lovers, and O’Nolan worshippers. Despite being a celebration of the writer’s life and work, the date chosen to honor him was that of his death. O’Nolan suffered a heart attack on April 1, 1968.

Before the 10th anniversary of the observance, Myles Day celebrants had to interrupt the meetings at the Palace Bar due to the covid pandemic. However, they resumed in 2022.

Myles Day timeline

1911
Brian O'Nolan is Born

On October 5, writer O'Nolan is born in Strabane.

1939
His First Novel

Under the pseudonym Flann O'Brien, O'Nolan publishes his first book called "At-Swim Two-Birds."

1966
O'Nolan’s Death

He dies of a heart attack in Dublin, on April 1.

2011
The First Celebration

Fans and readers gather for the first time at the Palace Bar in Dublin to celebrate the life and work of O'Nolan.

2022
A Brief Hiatus and Return

The Myles Day celebrations resume.

Myles Day FAQs

What is celebrated on Myles Day?

The life and work of writer Brian O’Nolan.

Where is Myles Day celebrated?

At the Palace Bar in Dublin, although it can be celebrated in any pub.

What is the most famous Irish book?

Published in 1922, James Joyce’s “Ulysses” is one of the most famous books of the 20th century.

Myles Day Activities

  1. Organize a costume party

    Some Irish writers are easily recognizable by their figures. How about getting your friends together at a themed costume party and taking a selfie with James Joyce, Brian O'Nolan, and Oscar Wilde?

  2. Immerse yourself in the author's work

    O'Nolan was a prodigy of bizarre humor and modernist metafiction. His works are a delight to anyone who enjoys inventive and unusual literature.

  3. Support your local pub

    O'Nolan was a regular at various pubs in Dublin. If you like pubs too, a great way to celebrate Myles Day is to visit your favorite local pub and try the combination the author loved: beer and literature.

5 Facts About Irish Literature That Will Blow Your Mind

  1. The Celts started this trend

    Irish literature began with the oral tradition of Celtic storytellers and poets reciting verses and tales about heroes.

  2. It is made up of many languages

    Although English is the most common, Irish literature includes writings in Irish, Latin, and Scottish.

  3. The first book

    The Cathach is the oldest example of Irish writing — it dates back to the 6th century and is attributed to the Irish monk, Saint Columba.

  4. Western literature was revolutionized by Joyce

    Joyce was considered a genius who revolutionized Western literature by releasing "Ulysses" in 1922, a book written using the stream of consciousness.

  5. It is also a land of playwrights

    Ireland also has brilliant playwrights like Samuel Beckett, Oscar Wilde, and Bernard Shaw.

Why We Love Myles Day

  1. Brian O'Nolan deserves to be known

    O'Nolan was a prolific writer and his work deserves to be known. Myles Day is a fun tribute to this iconic artist.

  2. It's a good excuse to go to the pub

    Myles Day should be celebrated in pubs. And what better excuse to hit the pub than saying you're going to a book club?

  3. It promotes fun competition with Bloomsday

    James Joyce is certainly the most celebrated Irish writer in the world, but not the only one. If he has Bloomsday, why couldn't O'Nolan have Myles Day?

Myles Day dates

Year Date Day
2025 April 1 Tuesday
2026 April 1 Wednesday
2027 April 1 Thursday
2028 April 1 Saturday
2029 April 1 Sunday
April
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
 
 
Be Kind to Spiders Week
Golden Rule Week
International Pooper Scooper Week
Laugh at Work Week
Medication Safety Week
Testicular Cancer Awareness Week
April Fools' Day
Assyrian New Year
Boomer Bonus Days
Cyprus National Holiday
Edible Book Day
Fossil Fools Day
International Fun at Work Day
International Tatting Day
Library Snap Shot Day
Lupus Alert Day
Mathematics and Statistics Awareness Month
Myles Day
National Connor Day
National Fun Day
National Greeting Card Day
National Loyal Day
National One Cent Day
National Sexual Assault Awareness Month's Day of Action
National Sourdough Bread Day
National Trombone Players Day
Nickelodeon Anniversary Celebration Day
Odisha Day
Reading is Funny Day
SAAM Day of Action
St. Stupid Day
Take Down Tobacco National Day of Action
U.S. Air Force Academy Day
U.S. Air Force Academy Day
Adopt a Ferret Month
Adopt a Greyhound Month
Arab American Heritage Month
Autism Acceptance Month
Bowel Cancer Awareness Month
Brussels Sprouts and Cabbage Month
Cancer Control Month
Canine Fitness Month
Celebrate Diversity Month
Cesarean Awareness Month
Child Abuse Awareness Month
Children and Nature Awareness Month
Counseling Awareness Month
Couple Appreciation Month
Cranberries and Gooseberries Month
Deaf History Month
Defeat Diabetes Month
Distracted Driving Awareness Month
Dog Appreciation Month
Earth Month
Emotional Overeating Awareness Month
Fair Housing Month
Filipino Food Month
Financial Capability Month
Financial Literacy Month
Fresh Florida Tomato Month
Genocide Awareness Month
Global Astronomy Month
Global Child Nutrition Month
Grange Month
Heartworm Awareness Month
IBS Month
Informed Women Month
International Amateur Radio Month
International Customer Loyalty Month
International Guitar Month
Jazz Appreciation Month
Keep America Beautiful Month
Month of the Military Child
Move More Month
Multicultural Communications Month
Multiple Birth Awareness Month
National African-American Women's Fitness Month
National Alcohol Awareness Month
National BLT Sandwich Month
National Car Care Month
National Card and Letter Writing Month
National Decorating Month
National Donate Life Month
National Facial Protection Month
National Food Month
National Foot Health Awareness Month
National Fresh Celery Month
National Frog Month
National Garlic Month
National Grilled Cheese Month
National Humor Month
National Internship Awareness Month
National Kite Month
National Knuckles Down Month
National Literature Month
National Minority Health Month
National Month of Hope
National Pecan Month
National Pest Management Month
National Pet First Aid Awareness Month
National Poetry Month
National Rebuilding Month
National Safe Digging Month
National Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month
National Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) Education and Awareness Month
National Sjogren's Syndrome Awareness Month
National Social Security Month
National Soft Pretzel Month
National Soy Foods Month
National Volunteer Month
National Welding Month
National Woodworking Month
National Youth Sports Safety Month
Occupational Therapy Month
Panagyaman Rice Festival
Parkinson's Awareness Month
Parkinson's Awareness Month
Parliamentary Law Month
Pharmacists War on Diabetes Month
Physical Wellness Month
Poetic Earth Month
Prevent Lyme Disease in Dogs Month
Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month
Primary Immunodeficiency Month
Records and Information Management Month
Records and Information Management Month
Rosacea Awareness Month
Sarcoidosis Awareness Month
School Library Month
Scottish-American Heritage Month
Sexual Assault Awareness Month
Sports Eye Safety Awareness Month
Step up for 30 For Bowel Cancer Month
STI Awareness Month
Straw Hat Month
Stress Awareness Month
Summer Tire Changeover Month
SunSmart Skin Cancer Prevention
Testicular Cancer Awareness Month
Tomatillo and Asian Pear Month
Women's Eye Health and Safety Month
Workplace Conflict Awareness Month
World Autism Month
World Landscape Architecture Month
Worldwide Bereaved Spouses Awareness Month

Holidays Straight to Your Inbox

Every day is a holiday!
Receive fresh holidays directly to your inbox.