The sauna scene: Take in the hottest views of Ireland
Ballynahinch Castle's sauna offers outdoor lake views in the heart of Connemara.
Megan Gayda and Cillian Ryan set up a mobile sauna (@blazeitsauna) at Mullaghmore Pier in Co Sligo on Saint Patrick’s Day 2024. Situated in a pocket of pure idyll, the small sauna looks onto the Dartry Mountains and is encircled by Atlantic waters as well as the pretty Sligo village where you can eat 99s with legs dangling from the pier on a summer’s day.
Ryan and Gayda both have day jobs but wanted a way to be near or in the sea every day. Ryan is a semi-professional surfer, while Gayda, originally from Essex, moved to Ireland aged 15 and has been a keen windsurfer ever since. They’d been bouncing around ideas about how they could make their dream become a reality and settled on the idea of a mobile sauna on the seafront. It’s now a thriving business.
Sauna goers can watch from the panoramic window as surfers depart the harbour for those famous big ‘Mully’ waves and see the fishing boat Kiwi Girl transform from trawler to pleasure boat, taking excited tourists to see minke and humpback whales, right off Irish shores, if they’re lucky.
The winter months can be harsh in the west but to keep their dream alive they started a membership club that now has about 30 regulars.
“We’ve a mixed bag of people who use the sauna: GAA members, sea enthusiasts, surfers. The members are now friends and there is a sense of community in there.”
Ryan and Gayda lucked out with their location; take 20 steps from the sauna and you’re straight into the harbour and, tide dependent, directly into deep water. In summer, they decamp to Bishop’s Pool, a short drive around Mullaghmore headland, where views of the vast Atlantic, Classiebawn Castle and Inis Murray island are a treat for the eyes. A sunset here is unforgettable, and the dip even more spectacular, but beware, you must be steady on your feet for this one as the descent to the sea is a slippery one.
Stephen and Emma McElvaney are owners of Hughie’s country pub in Monaghan (@hughiescorcaghan), built by Stephen’s grandfather in 1932. They also run the Hidden Haven sauna (@thehiddenhaven25) now, at the rear of the pub. Stephen took over the pub from his father in 2018 and started to develop it, coming up with quirky ideas, putting his own stamp on it.
Covid closed the bar in 2020 and trying to pivot, they opened an outdoor space with big screen, covered shacks, music and pizzas but it sparked something in Stephen’s mind about moving away from just being a pub.
“One summer’s day I was sitting outside and thought, you could spend a bit of time here, looking out at that view.”
Saunas had started to rise in popularity and when he mentioned putting one at the back of the pub to Emma she was not convinced.
“We’d enough going on”, Emma laughs. “I work as a physio, Stephen works full time but once he gets an idea in his head it’s very hard to talk him out of it. Now I see it though, I am delighted.”
She’s talking about an oasis that overlooks rolling Monaghan hills, sheep and cows in the middle distance, the sun rising and setting in your eyeline if you book into an early morning or late evening sauna session. Skilled craftsmen brought the area to life with a sizeable plunge pool built into the ground (not for the faint-hearted in the dead of winter) as well as showers and a slightly warmer cold plunge bath, as well as two saunas.
“The days of a local pub as your only income are long gone. We both play football and when trying to organise a team bonding night, everyone is much more into a sauna and a coffee than a big night out in the pub. Recently, I had 32 people here for a sauna without even trying.
“It took word of mo
uth for it to grow and the reassurance that it’s very private. We now cater to athletes, marathon runners, GAA players, and people who just come for wellness. We have a group of girls doing their Leaving Cert, they just want to get away from the stress of exams. They chat and get rid of any woes and away they go,” Emma says.
“Even with the pub I used to say, we don’t sell alcohol, we sell good energy. This is just the evolution of that,” Stephen laughs.
Located on Lough Ree, the latest addition to Wineport Lodge’s wellness programme, is their sauna set up.
Situated very close to the lake, choose to elegantly descend into the water’s cool embrace via ladder, or dive bomb like a child, after getting your sweat on. Take the opportunity to enjoy jacuzzi bubbles with a glass of bubbles in hand, in one of two lakeside hot tubs or take a relaxing seaweed bath. Hot tub and sauna are for hotel residents only, a perfect reason to make this an overnight getaway. wineport.ie
Finn Lough on the banks of Lough Erne in Co Fermanagh is a unique wellness experience that includes a two-hour self-guided journey through a combination of hot and cold therapies. But the numerous saunas, including a Finnish-style room with panoramic views of the lake are what guests come for. Worth mentioning is a salt float room that offers some serious relaxation. To complete the at-one-with-nature experience stay in a bubble dome, a luxury transparent structure allowing immense views of the night sky, weather dependent of course. All include a comfortable double bed and ensuite bathroom. finnlough.com
The Nook Sauna in Tullyvin, Co Cavan is designed as a place to truly relax and connect with nature. With beautiful views of forest and fields, watch as the Annalee River gently passes you by.
Warm up in the sauna before dipping in the river; a small area is designated and cordoned off for those taking the plunge. The owners really have an eye for detail, with lovely clean changing rooms, an outdoor bath if the river doesn’t appeal, and a coffee truck close by. This is a popular spot for locals so booking ahead is advised. @the.nook.sauna
Reconnect with nature at Ballynahinch Castle by taking a seat at their outdoor lake view saunas, in the heart of Connemara. Overlooking the estate’s woodlands and lake, the saunas provide a private wellness experience for guests with each hour-long session for up to four guests including a basket with towels, slippers, water, and fresh fruit. Cool off with a cold bucket pull or a refreshing dip in the estate’s lake plunge area. ballynahinchcastle.com
Cocoon Saunas at Portnablagh Pier in Dunfanaghy, Co Donegal overlook the Ballyboe Mountains. There are two extremely well-kept wood burning saunas, with steps into the pier close by. Take a quick dip or swim further out; it’s always a treat to swim with mountains as your backdrop. On evening sessions, look out at the gorgeous starry skies and perhaps even catch a glimpse of the Northern Nights, completing the full Scandi experience. @cocoon_sauna_donegal
