Laws introduced to regulate saunas on Kerry beaches

Twelve of Kerry’s 16 Blue Flag beaches will now have designated sauna service areas and will operate under council permit

Applicants for permits must set out noise-prevention measures, signage, hours of operation to prevent light pollution, as well as first aid and fire-prevention requirements. 

Shifting sands are not ideal locations for mobile saunas, a council meeting has heard, as bylaws have been introduced to regulate saunas on beaches across Kerry.

Twelve of Kerry’s 16 Blue Flag beaches, from Ballinskelligs to Ballyheigue, will now have designated sauna service areas and will operate under council permit. 

Applicants for permits must set out noise-prevention measures, signage, hours of operation to prevent light pollution, as well as first aid and fire-prevention requirements. 

The council will also engage with operators in other areas to accommodate the demand for seaside saunas, the meeting heard.

Sauna huts would not be located on sand, even above the high‑water line, said Paul Neary, the council’s director of community, climate, and operational services. This was due to the tidal nature of beaches, as well as access and egress.

“Furthermore, locating saunas on sand due to habitat would require more detailed environmental assessments and consultation with the [National Parks and Wildlife Service],” said Mr Neary.

Kerry County Council said it was engaging with operators on planning.

Health benefits as well as economic benefits are flowing from the saunas positioned alongside the sea, according to submissions from the public.

However, there are concerns about the “privatisation of public beach space”, as well as runoff from the sauna huts.

“Several of the proposed locations are among the most visually unspoiled beaches in Ireland, including Rossbeigh, Maharabeg, Inch, and Fionn Trá," said Green Party representative for Tralee Anluan Dunne

"The cumulative visual impact of commercial sauna units, associated signage, branded boards, trailer chassis, and customer waiting infrastructure has the potential to materially alter the character and amenity of these locations."

Another submission stated there had to be “a clear line of sight to the sea and along the access route” in order for sauna staff to monitor clients. This is due to the risk of cold water shock and drowning from the gasp reflex upon first entry into cold water.

Ten saunas operate on the Dingle peninsula alone, and the private operators should be accommodated, said Sinn Féin councillor Robert Brosnan, adding seaside saunas are a niche economy for Kerry and “we should be doing more to support them".

Enforcement notices had been sent to some operators seeking to close them down, said Mr Brosnan, claiming the saunas should be located on beaches, above the high water mark, rather than in private car parks.

Sinn Féin councillor Deirdre Ferris pointed to Banna Beach sauna, which had become a focus for “wellness” in the community, and has led to spin-off business.

There was growing recognition of the health and mental health benefits of saunas for all age groups, said Fianna Fáil councillor Tommy Cahill.

At Inch Beach, the car park is privately owned, with the lease due to expire in six months and needing to be urgently progressed by the council, said Fine Gael councillor Tommy Griffin.

Ballybunion’s two Blue Flag beaches — Ladies Beach and Ballybunion North — were included in the designated sauna service areas. 

However, North Beach was excluded after public submissions said an extra sauna would interfere with the seaweed baths, a tradition and a business since the 1920s.

The new provisions come into effect in June.

This article is funded by the local democracy scheme