Where to stay in Ireland: 15 great picks for a hen or stag do

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• Drumbo House, Lisburn, Co. Antrim
• Big Style Lodge, Killadoon, Co. Mayo
• Poc Fada, Killorglin, Co. Kerry
• Podumna Village, Portumna, Co. Galway
• Sunnybank House, Clifden, Co. Galway
• Glasson Lakehouse, Co. Westmeath
• Slieve Aughty Centre — The Three Towers, Co. Galway
• Fitzgerald’s, Ballybunion, Co. Kerry
• The Millhouse, Slane, Co. Meath
• Ballinderry Park, Ballinasloe, Co. Galway
• The Old Deanery Estate, Co. Wexford
• HYDE Hotel Galway, Galway City
• Temple House, Co. Sligo
• Hotel Doolin
• Carrick-on-Shannon Rowing Club House

With wedding weekends filling calendars across Ireland, many groups are hunting for the perfect hen or stag stay. Below are carefully chosen venues around the country that cater to different styles — from cosy glamping pods to houses with their own pub — with practical details on capacity, amenities and typical costs.

Drumbo House, Lisburn, Co. Antrim

This large country house sleeps 20 and comes with a private sauna, a hot tub and plenty of outdoor space — including a pitch-and-putt. The property also features an on-site bar that your group can use exclusively, a roomy kitchen and generous communal areas.

The hosts provide extras that make logistics easier: they offered bus transfers to Belfast at no extra charge, left bottled water around the house, decorated the pub area and supplied a hamper for the bride. Note: guests wearing tan are not allowed to use the hot tub. The two-night rate works out at about £140 per person.

Big Style Lodge, Killadoon, Co. Mayo

For an outdoors-focused weekend with activities included, Big Style Lodge is set up for groups. Accommodation comprises 13 ensuite rooms and can sleep up to 33 in doubles, or 43 when beds are shared.

Weekend Escape packages bundle two nights’ stay with a two-hour surf lesson, two morning yoga classes, a guided hike up Killadoon Hill, meals (two breakfasts, one lunch, two dinners), snacks and hot drinks. Spa sessions, evening bonfires and hot tub time are also part of the itinerary. Prices start from around €345 per person.

Poc Fada, Killorglin, Co. Kerry

Poc Fada offers a traditional pub-centred experience for groups of up to 19. The restored bar is fully functional, so you can bring your own drinks and host a proper private night in.

Outside there is a hot tub, an outdoor shower and seating. The living spaces have been modernised, including a kitchen and a dining area large enough for every guest. The property has a two-night minimum and a typical booking costs €2,000.

Podumna Village, Portumna, Co. Galway

Podumna Glamping Village mixes festival-style energy with comfortable pods and cabins tucked into woodland. It’s close to the River Shannon, walking trails and local pubs, making it handy for activity-focused groups.

The site runs weekend packages with live music, bike rides and organised local events. The owner, Dick, is known for helping guests organise activities. Pods start at about €130 and sleep two.

Sunnybank House, Clifden, Co. Galway

This historic property sits close to Clifden town and sleeps up to 23 guests across 11 ensuite rooms. It’s set in private grounds but only a short walk from the town square and a nearby pub.

Notable features include a year-round heated outdoor pool, a sauna, rain showers and a large terrace — plus cosy fires and spacious social areas suited to long group evenings. The house is typically booked for a minimum two-night stay; standard rates are around €2,000 for the property.

Glasson Lakehouse, Co. Westmeath

Glasson Lakehouse is a stylish hotel option for smaller groups or those who prefer hotel comforts. Expect colourful interiors, roomy bedrooms and a heated outdoor pool with spa facilities.

It lends itself to relaxed weekends: slow mornings by the lake, communal cooking and outdoor gatherings. Classic rooms start at about €208, though prices change with season and availability.

Slieve Aughty Centre — The Three Towers, Co. Galway

Set in the foothills of the Slieve Aughty Mountains, this venue is tailored to low-tech, nature-led breaks. The full house sleeps up to 23 across nine individually designed ensuite rooms.

The emphasis is on downtime and outdoor activity rather than screens: limited Wi‑Fi, no TVs and a focus on the organic café and outdoor kitchen. Daytime options include horse riding, forest walks, yoga, crafts and even donkey-led picnics. Booking the whole property is priced at about €1,500 per night.

Fitzgerald’s, Ballybunion, Co. Kerry

Fitzgerald’s is a recently renovated property in the centre of Ballybunion that accommodates large groups — up to 34 guests across seven bedrooms. It has a substantial outdoor area with a hot tub and a swim spa.

The house includes a private bar and lounge for cocktails and late-night gatherings, plus a well-equipped kitchen. It’s an easy base for exploring the village, beaches and local sauna experiences. The nightly rate is around €1,800.

The Millhouse, Slane, Co. Meath

The Millhouse runs a glamping-style option called the Foxy Hen, suited to groups of 10–45. Stays are offered for one or two nights and include a party cabin, fire pit and a fully equipped outdoor kitchen.

It’s pitched as a relaxed, communal celebration where groups bring food or use local catering. Weekend packages come in at about €190 per person for a two-night stay.

Ballinderry Park, Ballinasloe, Co. Galway

Ballinderry Park is a private Georgian estate with 41 acres of grounds, a manor house and a glamping village. It caters for small to very large groups (8–50) and focuses on tailor-made experiences.

Options range from immersive murder-mystery evenings to craft workshops and cocktail classes in a vintage bar. Pricing is flexible: packages begin at around €63 per person, while a two-night booking for 20 people typically works out at €155 each.

The Old Deanery Estate, Co. Wexford

This restored 18th-century estate comprises self-catering cottages and communal event spaces such as a Wine Cellar and a Barn. It’s suited to groups who want a mix of private cottages and shared celebration areas.

On-site activities and nearby experiences cover dance classes, floral crown workshops, tastings and more. Nightly package rates run from €63 to €95 per person, and a typical two-night hen weekend usually totals between €180 and €300 per person depending on the selection of spaces and activities.

HYDE Hotel Galway, Galway City

For a city-centre celebration, HYDE offers modern rooms a short walk from Eyre Square. The hotel provides practical room configurations — twins, triples and quads — so the whole party can stay close together.

It’s a convenient base for group brunches and pre-night-out dinners. Quad rooms start at about €208.

Temple House, Co. Sligo

Temple House is a secluded manor set within roughly 1,000 acres of parkland, with lakes and castle ruins. The main house sleeps 20–22 guests, with additional capacity in a nearby cottage if needed.

The property suits groups wanting an exclusive retreat — breakfasts included, lake and garden walks, cosy evenings by the fire and the option to arrange workshops or bespoke activities. Exclusive use starts from about €2,500 per night.

Hotel Doolin

Hotel Doolin markets all-inclusive style hen packages that can include prosecco picnics, cocktail classes, pizza nights or readings. Offers typically include bed and breakfast, a two-course dinner or pizza party and a welcome drink.

Prices usually fall between €170 and €190 per person depending on the season and chosen package.

Carrick-on-Shannon Rowing Club House

This riverside self-catering house sleeps up to 20 and is aimed at social groups. Packages commonly include a welcome round of shots and finger food at Murtagh’s Bar, planned hen activities, a two-course meal, reserved areas in local bars and nightclub entry.

Two-night packages start from around €220 per person, making it a straightforward option for a lively, organised weekend.

*Always drink responsibly.

The views expressed here are those of the author and do not represent or reflect the views of RTÉ.