My Cork Hen Weekend: A Real Review

A Real Bride's Review: One of our recent brides shares her experience of a surprise hen do in Cork, organised by The Stag and Hen Experience.

I wasn’t the easiest of hens to work with when my maid of honour was trying to arrange my hen do. I am one of those people who, when faced with lots of choice, can’t make a decision whatsoever! Luckily, I had my very competent maid of honour, and she engaged the services of The Stag and Hen Experience, who played an essential part when planning the perfect weekend.

The Surprise Reveal

The only thing I knew before leaving was that I needed a passport. I kept looking at the departures board at the airport trying to look for clues! It wasn’t until we were actually on the plane and the pilot announced our destination that I realised I was having a Cork hen do.

I love Ireland. I've been a couple of times before, though never to Cork, so the idea of spending a weekend with my favourite girls in the Rebel County was super exciting.

The Accommodation & Spa

I wasn’t really expecting much from the hotel—I assumed that as long as there was a bed and a shower, I would be fine. So, I was blown away when we arrived at a luxurious, high-quality hotel right in the city centre. We checked in and met downstairs for a 2pm glass of champagne to start the weekend as we meant to go on.

My maid of honour then revealed that we had full access to the Hotel Spa for the entire weekend. Absolutely fantastic! Some of the girls had facials, a couple had manicures, but they had pushed the boat out and booked me in for a back massage. It was exactly what I needed to make the wedding planning stress melt away.

The Irish Pubs

Irish pubs are a world of their own. I’m not much of a girly girl, preferring pints to pitchers of cocktails, and the amazing selection of beers and ciders we found in Cork was incredible.

In fact, we were so comfortable in these pubs that on the first night, we didn't even make it to a club! We found a venue with live folk music, a great atmosphere, and friendly locals, and we stayed until closing time. If you are planning a hen weekend, do not underestimate how much fun you can have just sitting in a proper Irish pub.

Day 2: A Day at the Races

The next morning, I woke up with a huge hangover. We grabbed our swimsuits and popped down to the pool for a refreshing dip, which certainly helped clear my head.

Once we were ready, I was given a giant hat and told I had to wear it all day—because we were off to the Horse Racing! I’d never been to the races before and was super excited. We jumped in a minibus and were soon enjoying the wonderful atmosphere. The weather was beautiful, there was champagne flowing, and I even managed to win some money on the horses! It was the perfect group activity.

The Big Night Out

That evening, we hit the town properly. We started at a few modern bars for food and cocktails before moving on to a nightclub. The club was amazing—it had a rooftop terrace and different rooms for different music, but it wasn’t so big that we lost each other.

All in all, my Cork hen weekend was an absolutely brilliant experience—a 'corker' if you will (sorry!). My friends really arranged an amazing weekend away, and it was a hen do that I will never forget.

Inspired by this story? Get in touch on 01202 566100 or browse our Cork Hen ideas and inspiration to plan your own Irish adventure.