COLUMN: Premier County hasn't tapped into the stag or hen market, but it should!

There are certain towns and cities in Ireland that have capitalised on the hen and stag market.

They’ve become notorious for being “welcoming” to such parties and have activities/packages etc. that will cater for the wild weekends.

Just a stone’s throw away, Kilkenny City, is probably one of the better known hotspots for such occasions but in Tipperary; it seems to be a market that hasn’t been taken advantage of.

Dale Fitzgerald of Boherlahan fame is getting married this year and we just had his stag in Sligo Town over the weekend. He is getting married to Rachel Fahy from Cashel.

They’re two of the nicest people you could meet and after the weekend, I can’t wait for the wedding, it will be mighty craic!

So, back to the stag.

The best man got a great deal for the group and it included paintballing as well as accommodation but it didn’t stop there.

An activity is essential, particularly on a stag. It keeps lads out of the bar until at least 1pm or 2pm.

We also got free entry into a nightclub and while I’m told I was in the nightclub, I certainly don’t recall entering the premises.

But the highlight of the package was the “steak and a pint” meal at 7pm on the second night. All included in the deal and it was gorgeous and came at the right time.

Just when lads were starting to get beaten down, the lovely steaks, chips and fried onions brought everyone back to life, although it did put a few to sleep as well.

Sligo is a bit of a trek at over three hours but you don’t mind that, the farther away the better when it’s 20 lads heading away for a boozy weekend.

But that’s where Tipperary comes in, the Premier County hasn’t tapped into the hen or stag market, but it should.

Although, I was at a stag in Ballagh before and it was one of the best nights I ever had.

Maybe Ballagh could lead the way...

Tipperary has a lot to offer a stag or hen party and perhaps it is an untapped opportunity for the Premier County.

Businesses would build up around a stag or hen destination, that much is evident from popular spots around the country.

People spend huge sums on such weekends away and for this reason it could only be good for the local economy and it is an area that Tipperary should look at developing. It would be great for business creation and for job creation as well.

It wouldn’t be easy to achieve.

It seems for many places they have established a reputation for stags and hens as if by magic but in all probability, it is by design.

Towns like Sligo, Carrick-on-Shannon in Leitrim, even Carlingford in Louth, have all carefully manufactured an image as destination towns for hens and stags. Like most things, it comes down to word of mouth or where you appear on Google searches.

The cities too have a lot of it sewn up, much bigger towns like Killarney are also punching well above their weight in the market which should give some hope to Tipperary’s larger towns.

There are many places that have a reputation for hens and stags and that is no accident. The reality is these places want such parties coming in, for many, their businesses are dependent on them.

It is quite possible that the weekly migration of brides and grooms, along with a cohort of friends and family, to various locations across this country, is keeping many towns and cities vibrant.

So, is there an opportunity for a town in Tipperary to take up that mantle in this county?

Absolutely!

And someone should grab the chance with both hands. It would have to be a domino-type effect. It wouldn’t happen overnight but as one domino falls, the rest will follow in time too. All it takes is the right package, well marketed and with the right activities and the rest will follow.

There are any number of places around Tipperary that could become notorious as a destination town/village for the country’s hens and stags.

Of course, there will be some who will argue that Tipperary doesn’t need the hassle that can come with such parties too, the anti-social behaviour and even criminality like assaults and criminal damage.

And some may disagree with this column entirely and say it is business we could do without. And that’s fine.

It is the darker side of the market and it does happen and does cause huge disruption and issues for some places, no question!

But I’d argue the benefits for hotels, restaurants, shops and pubs far outweigh any potential negatives. And that’s before you see other businesses popping up as well to meet the needs of those coming into the area.