With Easter just around the corner, many households across Ireland are in full prep mode - making shopping lists, stocking fridges and freezers and trying to stay on top of the chocolate-fuelled chaos. As one of the busiest shopping periods of the year, supermarkets nationwide are gearing up for the seasonal rush.

This year, Lidl Ireland has announced a major change that could catch shoppers off guard. All 184 of its stores across the country will close three hours earlier than usual over the Easter bank holiday weekend.

The popular budget supermarket will operate slightly reduced hours across Easter Sunday and bank holiday Easter Monday, so shoppers are being urged to check their local store times in advance and plan ahead.

According to the Lidl Ireland website, store opening hours over the Easter weekend will see a few key changes:

Good Friday, April 18: Stores will operate as normal, from 8am to 10pm.

Holy Saturday, April 19: Regular hours continue, with stores open from 8am to 10pm.

Easter Sunday, April 20: Stores will open at the usual time of 9am, but will close three hours earlier than usual at 6pm.

Easter Monday, April 21: Opening one hour later at 9am and closing one hour earlier at 9pm.