Stag Weekend in Ireland - Advice, Opinions, Anything?

theteal · 14-07-2011 4:38pm #1

Gentlemen, some help would wholeheartedly appreciated.

I need to organise a stags for 15-20 bodies. I've looked at the UK trying to incorporate something of an interesting soccer match but it's just proving too expensive and not all that interesting - the wedding is in Spain on the 1st of Oct so costs will be a significant factor for all involved.

Now I've "narrowed" my search to pretty much the whole west coast of Ireland. Westport was mentioned but some of the group venture to Westport quite a lot - at least we did until I moved away. Also, Lahinch came to mind but again, some of us would have been there several times and it may be a bit small.

We checked out the Inchidoney Surf Lodge and tbh this would be perfect except that it's booked up for every weekend up until the wedding.

I'm now thinking perhaps the likes of Bundoran or Sligo but there are questions about the size of the towns/nightlife etc. Basically I'm struggling for ideas.

From the destinations mentioned, it's fairly clear that i'm looking for an "outdoorsy" couple of days with the distinct option of a decent session at night - i'm sure it's your basic stags cliché.

So gentlemen of the club, can anybody share experiences, ideas, advise for where in Ireland one could achieve such a endeavour?

I know this isn't a travel club but i'm looking for experiences and opinions; all of which will be welcome and appreciated.

LightningBolt · 14-07-2011 5:12pm

Where are you travelling from? Belfast is always good fun, maybe not the west of Ireland but I find it cheap enough to go away for the weekend.

If I was to pick anywhere for a stags I'd probably pick Bundoran out of everywhere that you've mentioned. Should be able to golf and surf in Bundoran no problem. They hold the a festival they're in late June so I'm sure it's well used to big groups.

theteal · 14-07-2011 5:22pm

Sorry, most of them will be travelling from Dublin.

HellFireClub · 14-07-2011 5:24pm

How about Belfast?!? Meant to be great craic at the moment if running amok is on your list of things to do!

:D:D

theteal · 14-07-2011 5:46pm

HellFireClub wrote: »

How about Belfast?!? Meant to be great craic at the moment if running amok is on your list of things to do! :D:D

i lived up there for a while, wouldn't be good for such a large group - although there could definitely be some outdoor activities the way things currently are!

14-07-2011 7:57pm

You can rent apartments around Salthill in Galway fairly cheap.

Not too far from the city and has good nightlife.

You can book a group for the Pure Skill sports place, €20 a head and it's good craic.

theteal · 14-07-2011 9:34pm

Deleted User wrote: »

You can rent apartments around Salthill in Galway fairly cheap.

Not too far from the city and has good nightlife.

You can book a group for the Pure Skill sports place, €20 a head and it's good craic.

i'm a bit meh about Galway as i've been there umpteen times. . .but I'm not sure if the lads have. I'll keep it in mind

sparks24 · 14-07-2011 9:43pm

Limerick? Cork? city's with nightlife and stuff to do

In The Sticks · 14-07-2011 10:54pm

theteal wrote: »

Gentlemen, some help would wholeheartedly appreciated.

I need to organise a stags for 15-20 bodies. I've looked at the UK trying to incorporate something of an interesting soccer match but it's just proving too expensive and not all that interesting - the wedding is in Spain on the 1st of Oct so costs will be a significant factor for all involved.

Now I've "narrowed" my search to pretty much the whole west coast of Ireland. Westport was mentioned but some of the group venture to Westport quite a lot - at least we did until I moved away. Also, Lahinch came to mind but again, some of us would have been there several times and it may be a bit small.

We checked out the Inchidoney Surf Lodge and tbh this would be perfect except that it's booked up for every weekend up until the wedding.

I'm now thinking perhaps the likes of Bundoran or Sligo but there are questions about the size of the towns/nightlife etc. Basically I'm struggling for ideas.

From the destinations mentioned, it's fairly clear that i'm looking for an "outdoorsy" couple of days with the distinct option of a decent session at night - i'm sure it's your basic stags cliché.

So gentlemen of the club, can anybody share experiences, ideas, advise for where in Ireland one could achieve such a endeavour?

I know this isn't a travel club but i'm looking for experiences and opinions; all of which will be welcome and appreciated.

Hi ya.
Whatever you do or wherever you go my friend is your own business but please stay out of Bundoran, It is the biggest kip this side of the shannon, no night life worth talking about, way too expencive...would go as far as saying rip-off. Sligo is a far better town, night life... plenty of it. Outdoor loads, surfing in Strandhill, horsing riding in Markree Stables, Paintballing in Temple house etc..., honestly you don't want to go to Bundoran.... best of luck.

ted1 · 14-07-2011 10:56pm

Try the pure magic hotel in Achill.

theteal · 15-07-2011 12:11am

ted1 wrote: »

Try the pure magic hotel in Achill.

interesting. . .

OldGoat · 15-07-2011 9:46am

Try Carlingford. Few brilliant pubs, the adventure centre, Gahn House for post eats, PJ's for pub grub.
http://www.carlingfordadventure.com/pages/index.asp?title=Carlingford_Adventure_Centre_-_Stag&CatID=172

theteal · 15-07-2011 10:46am

OldGoat wrote: »

Try Carlingford. Few brilliant pubs, the adventure centre, Gahn House for post eats, PJ's for pub grub.
http://www.carlingfordadventure.com/pages/index.asp?title=Carlingford_Adventure_Centre_-_Stag&CatID=172

will have a gander

thanks lads, this thread is bearing fruit

mikemac · 15-07-2011 10:50am

The Marble City!

I am pie · 15-07-2011 10:59am

Best stag i ever had in Ireland was on the shannon. Up to carrick on shannon, hire the a couple of cruisers and hit all the wee pubs on your travels. Stop in for afternoon pints and take off up the river to your next venue. Had a messy night out in carrick on shannon on the saturday, but the river drinking was the highlight. Much better than the standard weekend stag do for us. Boats had fridges, showers, cookers and stereos.

I am pie · 15-07-2011 11:01am

theteal wrote: »

will have a gander

thanks lads, this thread is bearing fruit

Carlingford is stag city on a saturday night. Can be chaos, good craic but there is only 1 nightclub which gets a bit over subscribed on a saturday. Friday night i found it very quiet. Adventure centre is good tho, we all went kayaking for the day. You need the weather tho...

theteal · 15-07-2011 11:37am

I am pie wrote: »

Best stag i ever had in Ireland was on the shannon. Up to carrick on shannon, hire the a couple of cruisers and hit all the wee pubs on your travels. Stop in for afternoon pints and take off up the river to your next venue. Had a messy night out in carrick on shannon on the saturday, but the river drinking was the highlight. Much better than the standard weekend stag do for us. Boats had fridges, showers, cookers and stereos.

drove through Carrick quite a number of times, always looked interesting. I think i'll need to send a text around asking who can't swim/float; just to be safe

theteal · 15-07-2011 11:42am

mikemac wrote: »

The Marble City!

it's a bit stag central, no? what's to do during the day, if you don't mind me asking?

i've been once, all we did was drink (and put out a house fire weirdly enough - not our house)

langdang · 15-07-2011 11:49am

Carrick on shannon is a good stag/hen town, have been there before. Did hovercrafting and buggy racing nearby.

Don't go to Limerick. As for Cork, bouncers are so far up their own hole you'll have an awful time getting in anywhere. Galway is great place for a stag in fairness, no hassles getting in places, great atmosphere. Pureskill out in salthill is good craic.

mikemac · 15-07-2011 11:50am

Ok, head to Carrick on Shannon, it's a good spot and you can head out the first night

I love this boat idea
There are a few companies, google Emerald Star and they are one of these.

Fill the boat with a trip to Lidl and away ye go.

sunflower27 · 15-07-2011 12:13pm

mikemac wrote: »

Ok, head to Carrick on Shannon, it's a good spot and you can head out the first night

I love this boat idea
There are a few companies, google Emerald Star and they are one of these.

Fill the boat with a trip to Lidl and away ye go.

Did that years ago. Went with Emerald Star and picked the boat up in Portumna I think. Took a few days to get up to Carrick-on-Shannon, but I absolutely loved it there. Lots of lovely restaurants and bars. And the boat was fab. I think next time I'd like to go on a barge and go with a bigger group

Have fun with whatever you choose, OP

theteal · 15-07-2011 12:44pm

Carrick on Shannon is now an official contender!

HellFireClub · 15-07-2011 12:57pm

Yeah Carrick on Shannon gets my vote, a great little spot with loads to do as well on the Shannon...

uch · 15-07-2011 2:59pm

Go to Cliffden, great fishing, golf and plenty to drink at night

I am pie · 15-07-2011 3:06pm

mikemac wrote: »

Ok, head to Carrick on Shannon, it's a good spot and you can head out the first night

I love this boat idea
There are a few companies, google Emerald Star and they are one of these.

Fill the boat with a trip to Lidl and away ye go.

+ 1 for emerald star, we went with them. No hassles, quick briefing on how to use the boat then off.

Should mention at this stage that you should pay attention to the maps. We didn't and ended up stranded on shallow ground for the night ! Look out for shallow rocky ground highlighted on the maps they give ya !!

sunflower27 · 15-07-2011 5:18pm

I am pie wrote: »

+ 1 for emerald star, we went with them. No hassles, quick briefing on how to use the boat then off.

Should mention at this stage that you should pay attention to the maps. We didn't and ended up stranded on shallow ground for the night ! Look out for shallow rocky ground highlighted on the maps they give ya !!

Yeah, we had a 15-min lesson on how to work the boat. And be sure you read up on Locks. We got to one and I was like 'Ahhhh, what the hell is that?'

They sent out little information packs but I didn't think I needed to read it :rolleyes:

JupiterKid · 16-07-2011 12:47am

Carrick on Shannon is a great wee spot for a good stag.:) It's small, the natives are friendly, here are some very good eateries (Anchorman and Lemongrass come to mind) and you can hire a boat from one of the various boat hire companies.

Word of warning - Hire boat firms are getting wary of renting out their cruisers to groups of young men. Someone with prior boating experience is a bonus and it's best not to get too wasted on the cruise as you need to pay attention to the markers to keep on the navigation course. Running aground is no fun!

The best thing is to use the boat to hop from village to village, sampling the local pubs along the way.

theteal · 16-07-2011 3:13am

Gentlefolk, as things currently stand we're aiming for a wee boat trip along by Carrick and whatever else ensues. . .

I am forever in all of your debt - if ever stuck in london, pm me for a leaba

if it all falls through, i shall be back abegging

sunflower27 · 16-07-2011 3:33pm

Oh, and I totally second the Lemongrass at Carrick. Absolutely delicious it was

I'm jealous!!!!

HellFireClub · 16-07-2011 3:47pm

sunflower27 wrote: »

Oh, and I totally second the Lemongrass at Carrick. Absolutely delicious it was

I'm jealous!!!!

I go out on the Shannon a few times a year, there's a nice restaurant there a few miles upstream called Bruno's, (I don't know what direction though cos get someone else to do the driving lol!, you can tie up the boat and go in for a bite and get locked, then back onto the lake!

littleredspot · 16-07-2011 3:52pm

If you're thinking of Carrick, Mrs Redpsot was at a cracking hen in http://www.carrickplazasuites.ie/

They do a very good value deal which includes food, a boat trip, nightclub entry, a drink and accomodation. But most importantly they welcome stag parties.

She was also at a brilliant hen in Carlingford, in an amazing house which slept 20 odd people and had it's own bar, can't find in on the web though. It's called Tranquility House. It was built using bits from an old church, high ceilings the lot.

sunflower27 · 16-07-2011 5:38pm

HellFireClub wrote: »

I go out on the Shannon a few times a year, there's a nice restaurant there a few miles upstream called Bruno's, (I don't know what direction though cos get someone else to do the driving lol!, you can tie up the boat and go in for a bite and get locked, then back onto the lake!

Oh, I think we went there, docked the boat a few hundred yards from it. It was really lovely and right on the water and quite secluded... if we are thinking of the same place and we probably are. Gawd, forgot about that place.

nkay1985 · 17-07-2011 1:12am

If Carrick doesn't work out for you, I second Carlingford. It's a really nice little spot. The adventure centre offers a lot of different options. In fairness we shouldn't have gone kayaking in October but it was great craic anyway.

The Friday night was perfect for getting settled in. Just a few drinks in a couple of nice local pubs. Then the Saturday was great buzz altogether. We didn't see any other stags or hens for the night but the place was hopping.

Very handy to get to from Dublin too with it being just a few minutes off the motorway.

The Carrick idea does sound cool though.

theteal · 17-07-2011 10:24pm

Folks, again thanks for all the feedback; appreciated to the highest end.

So we're gonna aim for Carrick. The only problem might be the stupid amount of people we have to accommodate. We may have to get 2 boats so we'll see how that pans out

Thanks again

Ronney · 08-01-2013 6:22pm

Hi Looking at organising a stag for about 15 in April.

Looking to Hire boats/barges somewhere round carrick on shannon area.

Plan would be to arrive Friday evening, night out somewhere. Then spend saturday doing a bit of a cruise/pub crawl with a few stops along the way.

Could anyone suggest a route/Place too hire/Stop off/place to moor for the night

Also how far could you travel in a day and do you need to bring boats back to their original location or are there drop off points

Any advice much appreciated.

Cheers

Stag Weekend in Ireland - Advice, Opinions, Anything?

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