Planning an Irish stag party during the pandemic hasn’t been easy. With weddings postponed, brides in tears and many lads missing out on the epic weekends away that they had planned, it was looking pretty bad there for a bit.
But! Now that the Irish government have announced the reopening plan between now and October 22nd 2021, things are looking up lads…
Check out our guide below to work out how you can plan your stag do with no drama and with covid (hopefully) out the door.
COVID-19 reopening timelines in Ireland
6th September (Live sport and entertainment)
- 75% capacity outdoors for vaccinated
- 50% capacity outdoors for mixed
- 60% capacity indoors for vaccinated
6th September (All other)
- Live music set to return to weddings.
- Pilot nightclub event to be held later this month.
- Coach tours at 50% capacity.
- Indoor live music events will resume with seated only audiences.
20th September:
- Return of organised indoor group activities. Where groups are unvaccinated or mixed, pods of up to six participants will be permitted.
- Restrictions on outdoor group activities will be removed completely.
22nd October
- No more limits on the numbers at indoor and outdoor events and activities, including gatherings in the home or garden.
- No capacity limit on the number attending weddings.
- Vaccination certs, immunity or testing will no longer be required to get into restaurants or any other activities or events, with the exception of international travel.
- Reopening of nightclubs.
Which Stag Party destination should we book?
Inevitably, the first question on everyone’s lips is where will the stag party take place? It’s also possibly the most important thing to consider and choosing the right stag do destination can make or break a stag party Weekend. The first thing to decide is how will everyone in the stag group get there?
COVID19 has caused a lot of disruption to transport in Ireland with a lot of bus and train timetables operating on reduced schedules so make sure to check the times first! Also, nobody wants to have to travel the length of the country, so keep in mind journey times for everyone.
What Stag Party friendly venues will be open?
With the Irish government’s recent announcement for the reopening timeline, more stag party venues and suppliers are looking to open back up. By October 22nd, bars, pubs, nightclubs and indoor activity venues should all be much more possible to book for your stag do in Ireland.
If you’d like further information, just give your Stag Party Specialist a shout!
Can I book a Stag Party now?
The Stags Balls are still open for business! We are working from our homes (and slowly returning to the office) helping out all our stag customers on a daily basis.
Obviously, the stag party is dependent on when the wedding takes place. If you’re one of the lucky ones that has managed to postpone the Big Day until later in 2021 or into early 2022, then our advice is to book now! A lot of places will start to fill up quickly once everyone can return to everyday life.
Alternatively, if the Big Day has been postponed until later in 2022, it’s no harm to get in early and book your stag party now, too. We know from speaking to our customers that wedding space is filling up quickly and, as a wise stag once said, ‘never put off until tomorrow what you can do today’.
Should we book particular Stag Party activities?
Similar to when stag do friendly accommodation options will be opened, stag party activities in Ireland are dependent on the government roadmap. If you have concerns about what activities to book, our advice would be to look at the ones that take place outdoors and involve little to no contact.
Clay Pigeon Shooting or Footgolf, for example, are both stag party pleasers and both take place in the great outdoors, unless of course you and the lads all plan to stand around holding hands… which, it should be known, we do not advise in the current climate! #washyourhands
However, with the recent government announcement about almost completely reopening by the 22nd October 2021, even indoor stag do activities are looking pretty promising right now.
