Let’s be honest, the classic “we’ll just see where the day takes us” approach to a stag party rarely ends well.
Someone’s hungry, someone’s bored, and someone’s only fit for bed by 6pm.
In 2026, Irish stag parties are becoming a lot more organised - but still plenty messy in the right ways. Groups are booking one solid daytime activity, building the drinks and food around it, and ending up with a far better weekend overall.
Below are the 10 most booked and most requested stag party activities in Ireland right now.
They’re popular for a reason: they work for real groups, real budgets, and real lads.
1. Karting
Karting remains the number one choice for stag activities across Ireland and it’s not hard to see why.
It’s competitive without being exhausting, everyone understands the rules immediately, and it gives the lads something to argue about for the rest of the weekend.
Why lads love it:
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No real fitness required
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Clear winner (and sore losers)
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Easy to slot in before food and pints
Available in:
Kilkenny, Waterford, Cork, Limerick, Galway, Carrick-on-Shannon and Dublin
Best for:
Mixed-age groups and competitive grooms
2. Paintball
Paintball has made a strong comeback for stag groups who want burn off a bit of energy before the night kicks off.
It’s loud, fast-paced and great for big groups who want something more active without overthinking it.
Why it works:
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Brilliant for team bonding
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Ideal for larger groups
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Feels like a proper “daytime activity”
Available in:
Cork, Galway, Carrick-on-Shannon, Dublin
Best for:
Active groups and daytime stags
3. Bubble Soccer
Bubble Soccer is chaos from start to finish and that’s exactly why it works.
No football skills needed, no pressure, just lads bouncing into each other and laughing at how ridiculous everyone looks.
Why groups book it:
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Instant ice-breaker
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Short, high-impact fun
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Great for mixed groups
Available in:
Available nationwide
Best for:
Groups where not everyone knows each other
4. Pub Crawl
Pub crawls never go out of style.... but they do need structure.
The most popular pub crawls are planned in advance, with tables booked, drinks included and a clear route, so the group can relax and enjoy the night without debating every stop.
Why they’re still a staple:
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Easy and social
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Great atmosphere
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Ideal Friday night warm-up
Available in:
Nationwide
Best for:
City-centre stag weekends
5. Cube Games
Cube Games are one of the fastest-growing stag activities in Ireland.
Think team challenges, silly tasks and competitive banter without needing fitness, bravery or coordination.
Why they’re so popular:
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Everyone can take part
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Competitive without being intense
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Huge laughs from minute one
Available in:
Nationwide
Best for:
Big groups and mixed personalities (perfect ice-breaker)
6. Footgolf
Footgolf is another top activity, getting more and more popular every year. It’s relaxed, outdoors, and ideal for groups who want something fun without getting covered in bruises or running a marathon.
Why it’s growing in popularity:
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Easy-going but surprisingly competitive
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No football or golf skills required
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Great social atmosphere
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Perfect for daytime with drinks after
Available in:
Kilkenny, Waterford, Cork, Limerick, Galway, Westport, Dublin
Best for:
Mixed groups, chilled stags, and lads who want laughs without exhaustion
7. Whiskey Tasting
Whiskey tastings are ideal for groups who want quality over chaos — at least early on.
They’re short, well paced and a great way to start the evening before dinner or nightlife.
Why groups choose it:
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Very Irish experience
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Weather-proof
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Works well for smaller groups
Available in:
Dublin, Kilkenny, Galway, Cork, Waterford, Westport, Carrick
Best for:
Mixed-age groups and early arrivals
8. Clay Pigeon Shooting
For stags looking for something a bit more polished, clay pigeon shooting is a solid choice.
It’s well organised, comes with expert instructors, and feels like a proper experience rather than just filling time.
Why it’s trending:
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Feels special and different
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No experience needed
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Great pre-dinner activity
Available in:
Kilkenny, Limerick, Carrick-on-Shannon, Dublin
Best for:
“Grown-up” stags and countryside locations
9. Escape Rooms
Escape rooms continue to be a popular choice, especially for smaller groups or as a filler activity before food or drinks.
They’re competitive, weather-proof and easy to fit into tight schedules.
Why they still work:
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Indoors and reliable
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No physical effort required
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Quick and structured
Available in:
All major Irish cities, including Dublin, Galway, Cork, Killarney, Carlingford, Limerick, Kilkenny and Waterford
Best for:
Smaller groups and early slots
10. Booze Cruise
If there’s water nearby, a booze cruise is hard to beat.
Drinks on board, good views and a break from the usual pub setting make this one of the most popular summer stag activities.
Why it’s a favourite:
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Unique setting
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Great group photos
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Perfect daytime drinking option
Available in:
Carrick-on-Shannon, Athlone
Best for:
Summer stags and relaxed groups
What We’re Seeing for Late 2026
A few clear trends are emerging as we head further into 2026:
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One main activity per day
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Shorter, high-impact experiences
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Less downtime, more structure
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Activities first, heavy drinking later
In short: better planning = better weekends.
Why Book Your Stag Party With The Mighty Stag?
We plan stag parties week in, week out — so we know what works and what causes headaches.
When you book with us:
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Trusted Irish suppliers only
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Activities matched to your group size and vibe
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One organiser books, everyone pays individually
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Prices locked once booked
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No chasing lads, no last-minute stress
Planning a Stag Party for 2026?
Whether you’re still browsing ideas or ready to lock something in, we’re happy to help.
Tell us the date, destination and rough group size — we’ll take care of the rest.