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Weddings

10 Unique Hen Party Ideas

Shake things up and let loose before the big day at a hen party to remember!

Three women walking wearing white skirts and novelty hen party tshirts.

Three women walking wearing white skirts and novelty hen party tshirts.

The typical hen do would usually involve a bar crawl or a girls’ night out on the town. While these remain popular options, why not spice it up? These hen party activities and ideas offer something different to celebrate the bride and the exciting next step she’s about to take.

A Day at the Races 

Race horse and jockey in the middle of a race

Image source: Pexels

Get dolled up to enjoy a fun-filled day at the races! The atmosphere at a race festival in particular is something to behold. The Galway Races are a popular event with music, dancing, drinking, and some healthy competition. Ladies Day could be the perfect occasion to honour the bride and enjoy her last bash before she ties the knot. 

Music Festival

Crowd of people at a music festival

Image source: Pexels

What screams ‘celebration to remember’ more than listening to your favourite artists and bands, relaxing, and basking in the ambience of a music festival? Whether you want to make a weekend of it or a day is enough, there are an abundance of choices all over Ireland to explore. The Electric Picnic in County Laois, Sea Sessions in Donegal, or Forbidden Fruit in Dublin might just hit the right beat for your and your wedding party’s tastes. 

Outdoor Adventure Activity 

Person ziplining through forest

Image source: Pexels

If you love the great outdoors, you and your entourage could spend the day bonding at an adventure centre. From obstacle courses to ziplines, there are plenty of options to choose from to let your adventurous side run wild. Some prime examples of amazing adventure parks include Zipit at Lough Key Forest park in Boyle, County Roscommon. Bay Sports in Athlone is a watersports centre for lovers of the water, ideal for a summer celebration. 

Boat Party

Group of friends enjoying drinks and food on board a yacht.

Image source: Pexels

Splash out and plan a boat party or day cruise for an evening like no other. Whether you’re cruising on the Shannon or The Grand Canal, you’ll be sure to create memorable moments together, eating, drinking, and partying. Various companies across Ireland offer hen and stag cruise packages.  

Glamping 

The interior of a tent. There is a bed, a rocking chair, and boho-inspired decor.

All the excitement of camping with added luxuries. Make a weekend of it and book a trip to one of the bride’s favourite counties or cities on a glamping site. Ireland has heaps of gorgeous options in every county, so do some research and organise some activities to get up to while you spend some well-needed bonding time before the big day. 

Brewery Tour 

Two women having drinks outside a bar

A spin on the classic pub experience, enjoy a drink while learning how your favourite beverages are made. Why not mix it up and visit some breweries around a specific city. Load the crew on a bus, or book a hop on hop off tour to experience some of Ireland’s best breweries. 

 

Budget-Friendly Activities 

If you’re looking for something different for a hen, but don’t want to break the bank, these ideas offer some inexpensive, cheerful, and unforgettable ways of celebrating with the bride-to-be. 

Sleepover Club

Three friends sitting on a sofa, drinking wine, and eating popcorn

Go back in time and enjoy a good old-fashioned sleepover with your gang. Budget friendly and loads of fun, there are plenty of activities to enjoy from the comfort of your own home. You can have a movie night, games night, cocktail making contest, and so much more. It’s the ideal relaxing bonding night before the hectic wedding festivities begin. 

Cocktail Classes 

Group of friends toasting drinks

Attend a team-building cocktail-making class as a fun pre-drink idea before heading for a night on the town. Many bars nationwide hold cocktail classes and offer group packages. Alternatively, some companies specialise in mobile classes where expert mixologists can come to you. Either way, it’s a fun and delicious idea to kickstart your night out. 

Karaoke Night

Group of people dancing in a club

Show off your singing skills at a Karaoke bar for a night full of fun and laughter. Memories will surely be made while performing in front of your friends and family. There are plenty of karaoke bars spread across Ireland, or find out if any of your favourite pubs host a karaoke night. 

Treasure Hunt

Team

Choose your favourite area or city and host a wedding-themed treasure hunt. You can make the hunt meaningful and funny by throwing in countless inside jokes and references - the possibilities are endless. If you don’t want to organise the hunt all by yourself, there are various hen and stag companies that offer treasure hunt services.