Ireland's newest 'sauna village' opens in Cork City — here's what you need to know

The Hot Box sauna village in Cork city features five unique sauna experiences, plunge pools in three different temperatures and hot showers – a first for the company.

A new sauna village has opened in the heart of Cork City, offering sauna sessions tailored for both seasoned wellness enthusiasts and those new to the practice.

The ‘sauna village’, tucked away on the old Careys Tools site, is the latest venture by the team behind The Hot Box, which boasts sauna and cold plunge spots in Dublin, Louth, Meath, Kilkenny, and Sligo.

The sanctuary features five unique sauna experiences, plunge pools in three different temperatures and hot showers – a first for the company.

Founded by Daniel O’Connor, Liam Irwin and Luke Williams, The Hot Box’s story began in 2021 with one old trailer sauna parked on the banks of the River Boyne.

The lads built the trailer sauna themselves, not knowing what to expect. People came to use the sauna and the spark was ignited to grow The Hot Box into something bigger.

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What started as a weekend project soon turned into a full-time passion, with six locations across the country and a growing community of people who love to sweat it out.

“Along the way, we’ve travelled, researched, and experienced saunas in many different places around the world—from traditional smoke saunas in Finland to contemporary wellness spaces in New York City,” they said.

“We’ve taken notes, asked questions, and soaked it all in (literally). And little by little, we’ve brought those influences back home, integrating elements from global sauna culture into the experiences we create here in Ireland.” 

They said that everything they do is shaped by what they have learned, and they believe in: making space for people to feel better, breathe deeper, and connect with themselves, with others, and with nature.

Still learning and still building, the trio’s most recent venture in Cork City will kick off this weekend and slots are now available to book online.

How do I book?

Slots are available to book via the Hot Box website here.. 

Sessions are for 60 minutes and people are advised to arrive five to 10 minutes before their allocated time to get changed beforehand.

What do I need to bring?

People are advised to bring two towels – an extra one for sitting on when inside the sauna, drinking water, footwear for the water and swimwear.

Is there parking?

Parking is available on-site. The sauna village is located on the old Careys Tools site.