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27th Sep 2017

The 10 Best Alternative Places For A Hen Party In Ireland

Éadaoin Fitzmaurice

Hen parties can be the best events of the year, friends gathering together, having a few scoops and celebrating your friend getting hitched. However, choosing the right hen can be stressful. 

Not to worry, we have picked some of the best alternative hen ideas across Ireland and complied them into this list.

You’re welcome!

10.  A Victorian Themed Hen Party

The Victorian Escapade will make you feel as though you are a part of Downton Abbey. Clonard House in Mullingar, Co. Westmeath, is the perfect opportunity to wine and dine a classy hen. 

The best part about the Victorian Escapade is that is the absolute craic. On arrival, hens are dressed as servants and ordered to do some chores. This could include a chamber pot race or making a dessert, all in the name of fun of course.

Soon after, everyone becomes lords and ladies of the manor. This experience will include dressing up in Victorian dresses, parlour games, dancing and afternoon tea, the perfect mix for an elegant bride-to-be. 

9. Glamping 

Glamping is the perfect way to get out in the great outdoors while staying true to your glam selves. 

Glamping has become super popular as of late, and with good reason, it’s affordable and it’s a barrel of laughs. There are so many different sites across Ireland with a wide range of choice, teepees, pods, yurts, bell tents – you name it, we’ve got it.  

There are also tonnes of activities these glamping sites offer, for example horse riding, bike rides, kayaking, card reading and surfing. 

Some of our favourite glamping sites are:

-River Valley, Wicklow

Teapot Lane, Leitrim

Pod Umna Village, Galway

8. Ballooning through the Boyne Valley

Want to sweep your bride-to-be off her feet? How about a couple of thousand feet in the air?

Hot Air Balloon Flights provide a unique hen experience that will showcase panoramic views of some of the most scenic places in Ireland. Flights can be booked for two, four or 16 passengers.

This is definitely a hen that will be remembered for a lifetime.

7. Caving Through The Burren

We all remember learning about the Burren for our Junior-Cert but did you know it’s actually a hot spot for hen parties?

This destination is perfect for adventurous hens looking to try out caving, rock climbing, kayaking, hill walks and snorkelling. 

6. Cruising in Carrick On Shannon

How amazing does a booze cruise on the river Shannon sound?

Hens can enjoy a one hour moon party cruise with a bar and disco on board. There will also be a three course dinner (because we all need that soakage), a glass of wine and free entry to the local nightclub afterwards for a bit of a boogie.

5. Get Traditional On Inis Oirr

Sure look who doesn’t want to get inebriated on an island at least once in their life!

During the day hens can run wild taking pony trap rides or bike rides. It is a great way to have that bonding experience with the group and take some hilarious photos. There are plenty of traditional pubs where you can have a jig and a céilí at night, yeow!

4. Go Back To The 1950’s 

This ones for the vintage glamour lovers. 

Decade Darlings provide a full vintage make over and a fully styled photoshoot. This is literally the perfect opportunity to dress up like a Pinup girl, yay!

We are sure that these photos will be some of your favourite ones to look back on for years to come. 

3. Scavenger Hunts

A team-bonding experience is on the cards here. 

As much as we’d like to make up our own clues and maps, sometimes we just don’t have that kind of time. Luckily for us there are companies who can do it for you, sure that makes the whole thing fairer anyway, right?

Dublin Treasure Hunts are a class company because they actually personalise your scavenger hunt to your bride and other hens by gathering stories about them in advance. 

You’ll get to the Dublin City in a whole new way whilst still having the craic.

2. Visit A Country House 

This hen would suit a group looking for a little more sophistication and a little less willy straws.

Coolanowle Country House offers five-star B&B accommodation and home produced organic food to its hens. Vintage china tea and prosecco parties are a must during your stay along with baking, dance, meditation and craft classes.

If you want to go that extra mile you can even milk the cows and feed the hens on the grounds of the manor. 

1. Cookery Classes

Why not try a cookery course in Ballyknocken?

These hands on cookery classes are the perfect way to create tasty food, lots of laughter and great memories.

Hens can also try out clay pigeon shooting, archery, sheep herding, quad biking, quizzes and wine tasting, what a treat!

READ MORE: Clonakilty Black Pudding Isn’t Actually Made From Pork And We Are SHOOK

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