ZipIt offers outdoor adventure activities for hen and stag parties at four forest locations across Ireland. Groups of 10 to 100+ can book high ropes and zipline sessions lasting approximately three hours. This guide covers why outdoor activities work for pre-wedding celebrations and how to plan a day that people actually remember.
The brief is familiar. Organise a hen or stag. Make it memorable. Keep everyone happy. Do not let the bride or groom down.
The default is also familiar. A night out. Several nights out. Pub crawl, club, kebab, taxi, hangover. Maybe fancy dress. Maybe abroad. Definitely alcohol-focused.
This works for some groups. For others, it produces diminishing returns. Another big night that blurs into all the other big nights. Photos that look like every other hen or stag photo. Stories that are more about survival than enjoyment.
There is another option. Do something during the day. Something active. Something that creates memories through shared challenge rather than shared intoxication.
Outdoor adventure fits this description.
Why Outdoor Activities Work for Hens and Stags
The purpose of a hen or stag is to celebrate the person getting married with people who matter to them. The activity should serve this purpose.
Shared experience:
Climbing through trees together, encouraging each other across difficult sections, watching friends face fears. This creates bonds and stories in a different way from drinking together.
Inclusive format:
Not everyone drinks. Not everyone enjoys clubs. Not everyone can manage a weekend of partying. Daytime adventure activities include people who might otherwise feel excluded.
Memorable moments:
“Remember when Sarah froze on the cargo net and we all had to talk her across.” “Remember when Dave screamed on the zipline.” These stories get told at weddings, at anniversaries, for years afterwards.
Different dynamic:
Away from bars, away from familiar social patterns. The forest creates a different context where people interact differently.
Energy for later:
A morning adventure, lunch, then evening celebration. The activity does not replace the party; it adds another dimension to it.
What ZipIt Offers for Groups
ZipIt hen and stag packages accommodate groups of 10 to 100+.
The activity:
Two to three hours on high ropes and zipline courses through forest. Circuits graded from beginner to advanced. Everyone participates at their own level. No experience needed. All equipment provided.
The format:
Safety briefing, equipment fitting, then onto the courses. Groups move together but individuals progress at their own pace. Staff supervise throughout.
What happens:
People help each other. Confident ones encourage nervous ones. Competitive ones race ahead. Cautious ones take their time. Everyone has stories by the end.
Locations:
- Tibradden Wood, Dublin Mountains: 30 minutes from Dublin city centre
- Farran Park, Cork: 20 minutes from Cork city
- Lough Key, Roscommon: central for western groups
- Djouce Park, Wicklow: 45 minutes from Dublin
Planning the Day
A hen or stag activity works best as part of a larger day. Rough structure:
Morning/early afternoon:
The activity itself. Arrive, do the courses, finish buzzing with adrenaline and stories.
Mid-afternoon:
Food. Everyone will be hungry. Book somewhere nearby that can handle a group. The post-activity conversation flows easily.
Evening:
Whatever the group wants. Night out, dinner, drinks, home. The activity has already made the day memorable; the evening is bonus.
Alternative: afternoon activity:
Late lunch first, then activity, then evening plans. Works if the group is travelling from distance and needs morning travel time.
Logistics for Organisers
The person organising carries responsibility. Things to handle:
Numbers:
Get firm commitments early. Adventure activities need numbers confirmed in advance for equipment and staffing. Chasing RSVPs is frustrating but necessary.
Booking:
Book online once numbers are confirmed. Popular dates fill up, especially summer weekends. Book early.
Communication:
Tell everyone what to wear (outdoor clothes, closed-toe shoes with grip, no heels). Tell them what to bring (water, snacks, change of clothes). Tell them where to go and when to arrive. Repeat the important bits.
Transport:
How is everyone getting there? Car shares, minibus hire, designated drivers. Sort this in advance rather than on the day.
Food:
Book a restaurant or pub for afterwards. Groups appearing without booking often cannot be accommodated. Call ahead.
Budget:
Activity cost per person varies by group size. Check pricing. Add transport, food, and evening costs. Communicate total expected spend to attendees early.
What About People Who Are Nervous?
Every group has someone who is scared of heights or worried about physical activity.
The reality:
Most nervous people complete the courses. The safety system means they cannot fall. Staff help anyone who gets stuck. The courses have easier sections for those who want them.
What helps:
Encouragement from friends. Permission to go at their own pace. Knowing they can stop if they genuinely cannot continue.
What does not help:
Pressure. Mockery. Making it a bigger deal than it is.
If someone really cannot do it:
They can watch from ground level. They can take photos. They can cheer others on. Not ideal, but not a disaster.
What About Fitness Levels?
Groups often include people with varying fitness.
The good news:
High ropes courses require balance and nerve more than cardiovascular fitness. The pace is self-directed. Rest on platforms when needed.
Physical requirements:
Participants need to be able to climb ladders, walk across uneven surfaces, and support their own weight. Those with significant mobility limitations may struggle.
Weight limits:
Safety equipment has maximum weight limits. These are checked at fitting. If anyone in your group might be affected, contact the team in advance.
Weather Considerations
This is Ireland. Weather is unpredictable.
Rain:
Sessions run in rain. Groups get wet. This is part of outdoor activity. Pack waterproof jackets. Embrace it.
Cancellation:
Only extreme weather warnings stop sessions. Rain does not. Cold does not. Drizzle does not.
Planning:
Have backup plans for post-activity if weather affects evening plans. Indoor lunch rather than picnic. Flexible evening arrangements.
Combining with Other Activities
Some groups want more than one activity:
Full adventure day:
ZipIt in the morning, other outdoor activity in the afternoon. Kayaking, walking, cycling depending on location and interests.
Adventure plus evening:
The most common pattern. Activity during the day, food and drinks in the evening. Balances active and social elements.
Weekend away:
Adventure activity on Saturday, recovery on Sunday. Works for groups coming from different locations. Lough Key particularly suits this, with Carrick-on-Shannon nearby for accommodation and nightlife.
What People Actually Say
Feedback from hen and stag groups tends to focus on:
Unexpected success:
“I thought some people wouldn’t enjoy it but everyone did.” Groups often have better experiences than organisers expect.
Different interactions:
“I learned things about people I’ve known for years.” The activity reveals different sides of people.
Stories created:
“We’re still talking about it months later.” The day generates material for speeches, anniversaries, conversations.
Inclusive energy:
“Everyone could participate in their own way.” The self-paced format works for mixed groups.
How It Compares to Other Activities
Versus pub crawl:
Different kind of memorable. Active rather than passive. Stories about achievement rather than consumption. Everyone remembers the day clearly.
Versus spa day:
Active versus relaxing. Group challenge versus individual pampering. Both valid, different moods.
Versus escape room:
Outdoors versus indoors. Physical versus mental. Longer duration. Larger group capacity.
Versus paintball:
Non-competitive versus competitive. Collaborative rather than divisive. Nobody ends up bruised and resentful.
Versus going abroad:
Cheaper. Simpler logistics. Less planning stress. But does not provide the “holiday” element some groups want.
Frequently Asked Questions
Groups from 10 to 100+. Very large groups may split across time slots. Contact the team to discuss logistics for large numbers.
No alcohol on site during the activity. Afterwards, do whatever you want elsewhere.
This is not advised.
They can watch from ground level. They are welcome to come along even if not doing the activity.
For very large groups, exclusive sessions may be possible. Contact the team to discuss.
As early as possible for summer weekends and popular dates. Several weeks minimum for group bookings.
Similar activity, different framing. Team building packages work for groups wanting structured team development. Hen and stag bookings are pure recreation.
Book Your Hen or Stag
Ready to plan something different? Book online or contact thehen and stag team to discuss your group’s requirements. Adventure in the forest, memories that last, stories for the wedding speech.
