Wedding season has just kicked off in Ireland, and if you're in your 30s like myself, it seems every time you open Instagram you’re seeing pictures of white dresses, hens and stags.
I’m a bride-to-be, but also a bridesmaid to my friend, so my main focus the last couple of weeks has been on researching great places across the country for a weekend of celebrating with the girls.
From saunas and hot tubs to a pub on site, here are some of my top picks for hen and stag accommodation across the Emerald Isle.
Drumbo House, Lisburn, Co. Antrim
I am just back from a hen in Belfast, and for two nights we all stayed at Drumbo House, located in Lisburn. I must say, this house blew me away and really opened my eyes to the great options available to hens and stags in Ireland. As someone who originally thought she would like to have her own hen abroad, this may have converted me.
The house sleeps 20 and features a private sauna and hot tub (although those wearing tan are not permitted to use the hot tub), generous outdoor space with pitch and putt, a spacious kitchen and the highlight: a large Irish pub that's all yours.
The hosts here couldn’t have done enough for us. They have a bus which they offered to drop us in and out of the city with no extra charge, they left bottles of water all over the house for us, decorated the pub on site and even left a hamper full of goodies for our bride. The house costs £140pp for a two-night stay.
Big Style Lodge, Killadoon, Co. Mayo
If you're looking for a more laid-back and outdoorsy hen or stag, Big Style Lodge in Killadoon, Co. Mayo, is the one for you. What I love about this stay is that everything is taken care of, so the only thing left to think about is a few pints* in P Dan's, the cosy onsite pub.
Coming here feels like a total reset every time; there’s such a great energy, and it’s so lovely being able to sit back and have the itinerary planned for you.
The lodge features 13 ensuite bedrooms and sleeps up to 33 guests in doubles, or 43 when sharing, making it perfect for larger getaways. Your weekend includes two nights’ accommodation, a two-hour surf lesson, two morning yoga classes, a guided hike up Killadoon Hill, two breakfasts, one lunch and two dinners, along with snacks, tea and coffee throughout the day. You’ll also have two one-hour spa sessions, plus evening activities like bonfires and hot tub sessions. Weekend Escape packages start at €345.
Poc Fada, Killorglin, Co. Kerry
Poc Fada is a traditional Irish pub stay that hosts up to 19 guests and centres around a fully functioning pub space, where guests can bring their own drinks and settle in for a proper Irish night in.
Outside, you'll find a hot tub, seating area and even an outdoor shower. The space itself stays true to its roots, with the bar carefully restored to maintain its traditional charm, while the living quarters have been thoughtfully updated for a comfortable stay. There’s a large, modern kitchen, a dining area that seats all 19 guests, and everything you need for a fun weekend.
There’s something so fun about having your own pub whilst on a hen or stag, you can play whatever cheesy music you like, run your Mr & Mrs and games without interruption and have a true Irish lock in.
It’s a two-night stay minimum here, and costs €2,000.
Podumna Village, Portumna, Co. Galway
If your bride- or groom-to-be loves music festivals, I can't think of a better place than this. Set in the heart of Portumna, Podumna Glamping Village offers a unique take on urban glamping. Think cosy wooden pods and cabins tucked among the trees, with large dining areas and outdoor spaces. With easy access to the River Shannon, forest walks and local pubs, it’s an ideal base for a weekend of outdoor activities and cosy pubs.
Podumna offers great packages for hens and stags with a jam packed itinerary. Activities include bike rides, live music at the pods, a night spent in the local pub and food. When I visited, the owner Dick couldn’t have done enough for us. He brought us around the village on bikes, served us ice cream afterwards and even helped us book local activities. I can’t say enough good things about him and the service he provides, a true local hero.
Pods start at €130 and sleep two.
Sunnybank House, Clifden, Co. Galway
Set overlooking Clifden, this one-of-a-kind historic stay is made for such gatherings, sleeping up to 23 guests across 11 ensuite bedrooms. Tucked within its own private grounds yet just a two-minute stroll from the town square (and sister spot Guys Bar Clifden), it blends old-world charm with standout luxury touches, including a year-round heated outdoor pool, sauna, rain shower and spacious terrace.
Inside, expect cosy fires, generous living spaces and a large kitchen and dining area built for long, sociable evenings. With exclusive use of the entire house and grounds (plus access to some of the best seafood, local experiences and outdoor adventures in Connemara) it's perfect for a classy hen with a touch of Wild Atlantic wildness.
This is one of the most insane properties I’ve ever seen and I think it would be the dream location for a hen.
The house is a minimum two-night stay and costs €2,000.
Glasson Lakehouse, Co. Westmeath
If you're looking for an endlessly cool hotel to spend a night or two, Glasson Lakehouse is the perfect spot. With bright and colourful decor, spacious bedrooms and a large heated outdoor pool and spa, there’s lots to keep all hens and stags entertained.
Sleeping large groups comfortably, it’s all about slow mornings with lake views, long catch-ups around the kitchen table and evenings that roll from hot tub dips to wine by the fire. With generous living spaces, outdoor areas perfect for games or drinks, and total seclusion while still being within easy reach of nearby towns, it strikes that ideal balance of relaxed and social. It’s the kind of place where you can fully switch off, settle in, and make a proper weekend of it.
Classic rooms start at €208 however, prices vary on season and availability.
Slieve Aughty Centre, Co. Galway
For a chilled hen or stag weekend, the Slieve Aughty Centre is a great option. Tucked into the foothills of the Slieve Aughty Mountains in Co. Galway, The Three Towers is a weekend full of fun nature-led escapes. Sleeping up to 23 guests when you book the full house, the nine individually designed ensuite rooms are bright and cosy overlooking forests and fields. It's all about slowing things down and reconnecting here, no TVs, limited WiFi, and plenty of space to unwind, from long chats over coffee to evenings in the organic café or outdoor kitchen.
By day, you can lean into the experience with everything from horse riding and forest walks to yoga, crafts or even donkey-led picnics. The whole house costs €1,500 per night.
Fitzgerald's, Ballybunion, Co. Kerry
Set in the heart of Ballybunion, Fitzgerald's is a newly renovated property that is ideal for a hen weekend with enough space for everyone under one roof. Sleeping up to 34 guests across 7 bedrooms, it's all about space, ease and a bit of fun, with a large outdoor area complete with a hot tub and swim spa, plus a fully equipped kitchen. Of course, the highlight is having your own personal bar and lounge for everything from cocktails to games and late-night chats and boogies. With everything on your doorstep, it’s the perfect base for a lively, stress-free celebration with your group.
Ballybunion itself is a great little village. I recommend doing a coffee run in The Marine in the morning, heading for a walk or swim on the beach and trying out the Tide Side Sauna.
The accommodation costs €1,800 per night.
The Millhouse, Slane, Co. Meath
Set in the heart of Slane, The Millhouse offers a hen or stag weekend with serious character. With exclusive-use packages, you and your group can take over the space entirely. The standout Foxy Hen glamping experience caters for groups of 10–45, with one or two-night stays in a beautifully designed outdoor setting, complete with a party cabin, fire pit and fully equipped outdoor kitchen.
It's a more laid-back, bring-your-own style of celebration, with homemade feasts or local takeaways, drinks around the fire, and long evenings dancing to cheesy music with your closest friends. Equal parts rustic and elevated, it’s a hen that feels personal, private and completely your own.
Packages are €190 per person for a two-night stay during weekends.
Ballinderry, Ballinasloe, Co. Galway
Set just outside Ballinasloe, Ballinderry Park is a private Georgian estate where you and your group have full run of 41 acres, from the manor house to the gardens and glamping village.
Catering for groups of 8–50, it's designed around exclusive, immersive experiences, whether that’s a fully customised murder mystery night that unfolds through the house, hands-on craft workshops with skilled makers, or cocktail masterclasses in the vintage bar.
With everything hosted on-site and tailored to your group, it’s totally customisable, making for easy planning for the bridesmaids or groomsmen. Packages start from €63 per person, making it as flexible as it is memorable. Two nights for 20 people costs €155 per person.
The Old Deanery Estate, Co. Wexford
Located in the heart of Co. Wexford, The Old Deanery is a beautifully restored 18th-century estate that's made for a hen weekend with character, charm and a bit of fun. Groups sleep in cosy self-catering cottages with fully equipped kitchens, open fireplaces and spacious living areas.
At the centre of it all is the estate’s standout Wine Cellar, the perfect setting for a prosecco reception or private celebration, alongside spaces like The Barn for dinner parties, karaoke or themed nights. With exclusive-use grounds, landscaped gardens and a long list of on-site and nearby activities, from dance classes and floral crown making to yoga, tastings and adventure days, it’s a hen or stag destination that can be as chilled or as lively as you want it to be.
Packages are €63–€95 per person per night (depending on package and group size), with typical hen weekends working out around €180–€300 per person for a 2-night stay, including access to The Barn, Wine Cellar and group experiences.
Hyde, Galway City, Co. Galway
For a weekend right in the heart of one of the best cities for a party weekend, HYDE Hotel Galway is hard to beat. This stylish, central base is just steps from Eyre Square. Designed with celebrations in mind, the hotel offers sleek, modern bedrooms in twin, triple and quad options, perfect for keeping the whole group together while still having a comfortable space to retreat to after a night out. Start the day with a group brunch, then ease into the evening with a two or three-course dinner before the real fun begins.
Quad rooms start at €208.
Temple House, Co. Sligo
Make your hen or stag weekend one to remember with an exclusive escape to Temple House in Co Sligo, a private manor set on 1,000 acres of lakeside parkland, complete with castle ruins and total seclusion.
Sleeping 20–22 guests in the main house (with space for more in an additional cottage), it's the kind of place where everyone can stay, celebrate and properly switch off together. Think slow mornings with breakfast included, afternoons spent wandering gardens or out on the lake, and evenings that move from cosy fireside chats to dressed-up dinners and wine from the honesty bar.
With endless space for games, pre-drinks and dancing - plus the option to bring in everything from floral workshops and falconry to full hen-party activities - it’s a stay that feels both relaxed and elevated, giving you the freedom to make the weekend entirely your own. From €2,500 per night for exclusive use.
Hotel Doolin
From Prosecco picnics to psychic readings, cocktail shakers to pizza parties, at Hotel Doolin, every bride gets a send-off that's equal parts wild and classy, with no clichés in sight.
Expect cliff walks with views for days, laughter-filled experiences, and plenty of time around the table with the girls. With all-inclusive packages designed to keep things easy, you can choose your vibe, whether it’s shaking up cocktails, getting creative, or testing your fate with Craic & Crystal Balls. Each package includes B&B, a two-course dinner or pizza party, and a welcome drink, with prices from €170–€190 per person depending on season, so all that’s left to do is pick your package, gather the girls, and let the craic begin.
I’ve stayed in this hotel many times and it never fails to bring the good vibes.
Carrick On Shannon Rowing Club House
Set in the heart of Carrick-on-Shannon overlooking the River Shannon, this self-catering house is designed for group celebrations, sleeping up to 20 guests with a modern kitchen, spacious living areas and a balcony made for pre-night-out drinks.
The accommodation offers all-inclusive packages that include a welcome round of shots and finger food in Murtagh's Bar, hen activities, a two-course meal, reserved areas in local bars, and entry in The Basement nightclub. With two nights from €220 per person, it’s an easy, sociable and stress-free way to celebrate with everything you need already sorted.
The views expressed here are those of the author and do not represent or reflect the views of RTÉ
