Saunas are a hot business area in Ireland right now, writes Barry Walsh, who looks at the various players springing up across the country.
The Barrel Sauna
The Barrel Sauna has multiple locations and providers across the country. The most popular among these is The Barrel Sauna at The Boat Yard in Greystones, Co Wicklow. This family-owned business run by Laura and Rob Gunning offers on-site sauna services and has received high ratings from customers, with a 4.9-star rating from 144 reviews. The company has grown from its base in Greystones to open further premises in Tallaght and Dundrum in Dublin.
The Barrel Sauna concept has gained significant popularity in Ireland. The Greystones Guide recommends: “Grab yourself a 45-minute session for €12 rather than €17.50, or enjoy a private session with up to nine friends for €100 instead of the usual €150, there’s never been a better time to find out why the Finnish always look so dang healthy and annoyingly happy.”
Big Dipper Sauna
The Big Dipper is a unique sauna and spa experience located on the Wild Atlantic Way in Ireland, offering a stunning 50-minute session with incredible views of Inishturk and Clare Island, Carrowniskey beach, and Croagh Patrick’s peak.
The facility features a wood-burning sauna maintained at 80-90 degrees, an outdoor hot tub heated by a wood-burning stove (kept between 36-38 degrees Celsius), a cedar wood plunge pool with chilled fresh water, and cold outdoor showers. Guests can enjoy alternating between these hot and cold elements, creating a unique wellness experience with panoramic scenery.
The Big Dipper offers two session types: a private group session for up to 10 people at €170 (with additional guests at €17 per person) and an open session at €25 per person. Located near Killadoon Beach and conveniently situated opposite BigStyle Lodge and P Dan’s Gastropub, the venue provides additional amenities like surf lessons and a yoga studio. Visitors are advised to bring swimming togs without metal parts, two towels, and water for hydration. The sauna has a specific cancellation policy, allowing rescheduling up to 12-24 hours in advance, with potential administration fees for late cancellations.
Driftwood Sauna
Driftwood Sauna, located ocean-side in Spiddal, Co. Galway, offers unique sauna experiences along Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way. Established in 2022 by Edward Corbett and Monique Tomiczek, trained Sauna Masters, the facility provides year-round sauna bathing in Finnish-style wood-fired saunas with stunning views of the Aran Islands and optional dips in the ocean or cold plunge.
In May 2024, Driftwood Sauna won the award for ‘Best Waterside Sauna’ in the UK & Ireland at the British Sauna Society inaugural UK & Ireland Sauna Industry Awards and was also nominated for ‘Best Rituals Program’. The sauna is open Monday, Thursday, and Friday from 4 PM to 8 PM, and Saturday and Sunday from 9 AM to 5 PM. Visitors can choose between private and social sessions, with options for aromatherapy infusions, bamboo whisks, skincare treatments and sauna hat rental. The facility also offers monthly Special Events, designed to immerse the senses and foster social connection, including guided Sauna Rituals featuring techniques like Thermal Leaf Whisking and aromatherapy; Full Moon Sauna Social; Soundbath/Beach Yoga and Sauna.
Fad Saoil Saunas
Created by Steve Crosbie, Fad Saoil Saunas is a pioneering mobile sauna service, offering unique wellness experiences across multiple locations including Greystones, Rathmines, Clontarf, and Kilcoole. Founded with a commitment to holistic health, the company provides professionally designed saunas crafted from native Irish woods sourced from County Wicklow. Their locations are strategically chosen to offer stunning views, particularly seaside settings that allow users to combine sauna sessions with invigorating ocean dips, creating a comprehensive wellness experience.
By integrating beautiful natural environments with professional sauna facilities, Fad Saoil Saunas has transformed traditional sauna experiences into social and therapeutic events. Their approach goes beyond simple heat therapy, creating spaces that encourage relaxation, social connection, and overall well-being in some of Ireland’s most picturesque coastal and urban locations.
The Hot Box Sauna
The Hot Box Sauna is a sauna experience provider in multiple locations across the country. Their flagship site is located at Bective Mill House in Navan, Co. Meath, with additional locations in Rosses Point, Graiguenamanagh-Tinnahinch, Carlingford, and Inchicore, Dublin.
The company offers various sauna experiences, including mixed shared sessions and private bookings. Their Inchicore Sauna Village features five distinctive sauna experiences and plunge pools at different temperatures, catering to both seasoned wellness enthusiasts and newcomers.
The Hot Box Sauna has gained popularity for its unique approach of combining traditional sauna experiences with the natural beauty of Irish landscapes, often situated near lakes, seas, or rivers. The company has established itself as one of the top wellness destination in Ireland
The Hot Pod
The Hot Pod are husband and wife team Ed and Dee that opened in 2021 with a love of the sea and an interest in health, wellbeing and community.
In addition to regular beach locations in Co. Waterford, The Hot Pod specialises in private hire events nationwide offering its services at festivals, backstage concerts, weddings (day 2!), adventure races and more.
“We pride ourselves in our cleanliness, professionalism and our friendly team, who will take care of you while you relax and enjoy your sauna sessions.”
The company was recently featured The Irish Independent, The Irish Times and on RTE News.
My Haven Sauna
My Haven Sauna, based in Oysterhaven Bay, Co. Cork, offers a unique and rejuvenating sauna experience along Ireland’s stunning coastline. Established as a sanctuary for relaxation and wellness, My Haven combines the traditional Finnish sauna with the invigorating practice of cold water therapy. The facility features a beautifully designed sauna with panoramic views of the surrounding landscape, allowing guests to immerse themselves in nature while enjoying the health benefits of heat therapy. My Haven’s signature experience involves alternating between sauna sessions and refreshing cold plunges, promoting detoxification, improved circulation, and stress relief.
My Haven Sauna has recently expanded its offerings to include a new location in Kilmacsimon, featuring premium sauna and cold water barrels. This expansion demonstrates the growing popularity of sauna culture in Ireland, with My Haven Sauna at the forefront of this wellness trend. The Kilmacsimon site offers specially designed stainless steel cold barrels set to different temperatures, mimicking the Irish seas, and a hot tub for additional relaxation. My Haven’s commitment to providing a holistic wellness experience is evident in their thoughtfully curated sessions, which combine the therapeutic benefits of heat and cold exposure with the tranquility of Ireland’s natural beauty.
Saltee Sauna
Saltee Sauna is a wood-fired seaside sauna located at The Little Beach in Kilmore Quay, County Wexford, Ireland. This Scandinavian-style sauna offers private and social sessions year-round, with temperatures ranging from 80° to 100°C. The sauna features a one-way glass window, allowing guests to enjoy scenic views of the coastline and the famous Saltee Islands while rejuvenating
Some of the highlights include:
- 50 minute sessions
- fresh water beach shower
- calm sea
- south facing
- open every weekend
- open every school holiday period
- changing stalls x 2
- storage container
- harbour/marina views
The Sea Sauna
The Sea Sauna is an authentic, wood-fired Finnish-style sauna located at Tower Bay Beach in Portrane, Co Dublin. Designed as a barrel sauna with a full glass end, it offers breathtaking views of the Irish Sea, creating a serene environment for relaxation. Guests can enjoy the soothing contrast between the sauna’s heat and the cool embrace of the sea, with opportunities for cold water therapy just steps away. The facility accommodates up to 10 people per session and offers 45- or 60-minute time slots, making it ideal for both shared and private bookings. Visitors are encouraged to book online in advance to secure their preferred time.
Open Thursday through Sunday and on bank holiday Mondays, The Sea Sauna has become a popular destination for those seeking a unique wellness experience close to nature. Guests praise its cleanliness, friendly atmosphere, and stunning seaside location, which feels remote yet is only about 25 minutes from Dublin city centre. Additional amenities include a coffee truck offering hot drinks and snacks, as well as optional meditation and yoga events hosted weekly. With its tranquil setting and rejuvenating offerings, The Sea Sauna provides an ideal escape from the hustle and bustle of daily life
Sona Sauna
Founded by Tom Connolly in west Kerry, these saunas are inspired by traditional Lithuanian barrel sauna designs – essentially “a shed with a stove” without modern insulation. Located in picturesque areas such as Ceann Trá/Ventry near Dingle, these saunas heat up to approximately 100 degrees and provide a “back to basics” wellness experience that combines natural settings with therapeutic heat.
The sauna movement in Ireland has “exploded in popularity”, particularly when combined with sea swimming practices. The saunas serve dual purposes as both local community amenities and tourist attractions, creating social spaces that encourage connection and wellness. With locations emerging along Ireland’s coastline, these wood-fired saunas offer a unique approach to health that blends traditional practices with modern wellness trends
Wild Atlantic Sauna
The Wild Atlantic Sauna, located at Old Head Beach in Louisburgh, County Mayo, offers a distinctive outdoor wellness experience that combines traditional Finnish sauna techniques with breathtaking coastal scenery. Situated with panoramic views of Clew Bay and Croagh Patrick, this unique sauna provides visitors with 30-minute sessions that blend intense heat with the refreshing Atlantic environment. Operating from Thursday to Sunday, the sauna has become a sought-after attraction along the Wild Atlantic Way, attracting both locals and tourists seeking a rejuvenating and immersive natural experience.
What sets the Wild Atlantic Sauna apart is its stunning location and thoughtful design, allowing guests to alternate between the intense heat of the sauna and the invigorating coolness of the surrounding landscape. The experience is more than just a typical sauna session; it’s a holistic wellness journey that connects participants with the raw, beautiful environment of Mayo’s coastal region. With multiple 5-star reviews and a reputation for providing a memorable and therapeutic experience, the Wild Atlantic Sauna has established itself as a must-visit destination for those seeking relaxation, natural beauty, and a unique approach to wellbeing.
Wild Wellness Collective
Wild Wellness Collective is a sauna experience provider located primarily at Garrettstown Beach, just outside of Kinsale, Co. Cork, Ireland. Founded by Bronwyn in 2021, the company offers traditional Finnish sauna sessions with breathtaking views of the Irish coastline.
The company’s main attraction is “The Beast,” a large traditional Finnish sauna designed and built in West Cork, launched in November 2022. Wild Wellness operates primarily from Thursday to Monday, with schedules dependent on tide conditions. They release their weekly booking schedule every Monday, catering to both individual and group sessions. Beyond their fixed location, Wild Wellness also offers pop-up sauna experiences at various coastal locations throughout the summer. The company emphasizes the health benefits of sauna use, including improved circulation, muscle relaxation, and the release of endorphins.
Wineport Lodge
Wineport Lodge, situated on the banks of Lough Ree in Glasson, Co. Westmeath, offers a luxurious lakeside retreat with a particular emphasis on wellness and relaxation. The lodge’s Cedarwood Spa features a state-of-the-art sauna experience, providing guests with a tranquil sanctuary for rejuvenation. The sauna, strategically positioned to offer stunning lake views, allows visitors to unwind while enjoying panoramic vistas of the surrounding native woodlands and water landscape.
The 34-room lodge combines premium accommodation with exceptional spa facilities, with the sauna being a centerpiece of their wellness offerings. Located within the Cedarwood Spa, the sauna complements other amenities like a hot tub pontoon and infinity plunge pool, creating a holistic relaxation environment. Guests can enjoy sauna sessions before or after treatments, or as part of a comprehensive wellness experience. The lodge’s commitment to luxury, combined with its serene lakeside setting, makes the sauna a key attraction for those seeking a restorative and peaceful getaway in the heart of Ireland’s midlands.
Some of their recent awards include:
- Best Hotel Restaurant – Midlands Hospitality Awards 2023
- Best in Hospitality – Athlone Business Chamber Awards2024
Main image at top: Photo by HUUM on Unsplash
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