Winter swimming doesn’t have to hurt! These saunas will heat you right up post-dip…
‘Winter swimming’ is a term of phrase that sets many people on edge – especially in this country. Whether it is your New Year’s resolution or you are an avid Christmas Day swimmer – a fantastic tradition (see the top swimming spots here), we know it has incredible health benefits and will makes us feel seriously refreshed. But if the act of plunging into a cold sea off the coast of Ireland seems tough – no matter our equipment; our dry robes, booties, wetsuits, hats – something that will quickly cure our chilled bones is a seriously hot sauna! These local businesses will take good care of you after your chilly dip and inject wellness and mindfullness into your day…
SAUNA: The Sea Sauna, Tower Bay Beach, Portane
The ancient traditions of wood-fired saunas meets the breathtaking beauty of Tower Bay Beach. After your refreshing swim, or before it, you can sit in the warmth of this sauna and gaze at the Irish Sea. This is a seriously serene experience to enjoy over the Christmas period or in the New Year. www.theseasauna.ie
SWIM: Bray Seafront, Wicklow
The beautful scenery at Bray seafront is almost enough to distract from the cold shock of the water. This is a great spot for sea-swimmers all year round, especially for those who aren’t afraid of the ‘run in.’
SAUNA: Helios Sauna, Bray Seafront
After a chilly swim at Bray seafront, heating up in Helios sauna is the perfect antidote. There is a 30 second journey to the beach from the sauna according to owners Miko and Matt, so you won’t have a chill in your bones for too long. Kitted out with tote bags, sauna hats, plunge barrels (to really get the blood pumping) and two large barrel saunas, this spot is a great place to gather over Christmas – a few giggles are guaranteed. @helios_sauna
SWIM: Céibh Nua An Spidéil, An Spidéal, Co Galway
If you are in the area, take an ocean dip here, along the Wild Atlantic Way amongst all of the natural beauty of Galway – just 20 minutes out from the city. From sunrise to sunset this spot is a beautiful place to refresh and unwind your body.
SAUNA: Driftwood Sauna, An Spidéal, Co Galway
Follow your swim with a visit to the Driftwood wood-fired sauna (lovingly named ‘Ebony’). The panoramic privacy window connects you with the beautiful surroundings. The sauna seats up to six people and can be the perfect spot for a group or a private session – when you just need a break from it all. www.driftwoodsauna.ie
SWIM: Lough Ennell, Mullingar, Westmeath
Take a seriously refreshing dip in the lake or plunge pool and let the crisp, cold water of Lough Ennell invigorate you. @thesaunasociety_
SAUNA: The Sauna Society, Lough Ennell, Mullingar, Westmeath
An authentic Finnish, wood-fired sauna, located on the shores of Lough Ennell. This is the perfect quiet spot to relax, rejuvenate and recharge amidst all of the Christmas hustle and bustle, and after a refreshing lake swim. www.thesaunasociety.ie
SWIM: The Forty Foot, Dún Laoighaire, Dublin
The Forty Foot is THE place for a winter dip when you’re looking for a dose of community spirit. Especially on Christmas day, if you are so inclined. Either leap in from the cliff or walk in; cool, calm and collected. See Alistair Campbell’s plunge here for some inspiration.
SAUNA: Sandycove Store and Yard, Dún Laoighaire
After a dip in the Forty Foot, take a refreshing, short stroll up to the saunas at Sandycove’s Store and Yard. Private sessions are available from 30 minutes to an hour, with group slots available from ten people up to 20. Have your fresh swim, grab a coffee and pop in the sauna. Or take a dip in the hot tub! You will feel entirely refreshed after your excursions – and ready to land back on the sofa for an evening of festive films. www.saysaunas.com
SWIM: Bundoran, Co Donegal
Known as one of Ireland’s surfing paradises, Bundoran is home to a variety of beautiful strands that are ideal for the seasoned sea swimmer. From Rossnowlagh Beach to Tullan Strand, there is so much choice when it comes to taking a dip for those ready to brave the wild Atlantic waters for a cold-water swim.
SAUNA: Salt and Ember, Rossnowlagh Beach, Bundoran
At the Boat Quay, Bundoran is the Salt and Ember sauna – a barrel sauna where you can sit inside and gaze out at the beautiful Bundoran coastline and feel refreshed with family and friends over the chilly Christmas period – or all year round for that matter. Starting from €10 per person. @salt_and_ember
SWIM: Renvyle Beach, Connemara, Co Galway
Renvyle is a most beautiful spot to plunge into the Atlantic and wash away any worries of the day. It is impossible not to feel zen with all of that incredible scenery around you. Renvyle beach is a lovely sandy spot or Gurteen pier will do the trick if you need to bite the bullet and get in quickly!
SAUNA: The Sweathouse, Renvyle, Connemara, Co Galway
If you’re in Renvyle over Christmas, then The Sweathouse is the barrel for you. This is one to book in advance. The lovely people behind this sauna will bring it to you and leave it with you. Enjoy temperatures of between 50 and 90 degrees in the sauna, and then air-cooling or water-cooling when the heat gets too much. And just repeat. Booking allows you to use it for 50 minutes. Whether it is for family, a group of friends or others – booking a sauna certainly brings everyone together.
SWIM / SAUNA: Baginbun Beach, Co Wexford
The Sweathouse also operates around Wexford. Baginbun is a beautiful, sheltered cove with a sandy beach that is perfect for enthusiastic swimmers at this time of year. Located just outside Fethard, Co Wexford, it is a stunning location surrounded by picturesque cliffs. Those who take a cold dip can reward themselves with a trip to the Sweathouse Sauna which is located right on the beach. www.sweathouse.ie
SWIM: Garrettstown Beach, Co Cork
A beautiful, expansive and sandy beach located along the coast of Cork, with stunning views of The Old Head of Kinsale. With a lot going on around it, it is a great spot for a winter dip with a group of family or friends, followed by a coffee from one of the nearby coffee trucks and then a good warm up in the sauna…
SAUNA: Wild Wellness, Garrettstown, Co Cork
Promoting health and wellness, the Wild Wellness mobile sauna located at Garrettstown beach will inject you with good feeling and positive thoughts. With a terrific community surrounding them, booking a calming sea sweating experience is something you will not regret. Book here www.wildwellness.ie.
SWIM: The Cove Beach, Greystones, Wicklow
A firm favourite from Fáilte Ireland and among many Wicklow residents is Ladies Cove, which is beautifully emulated in Ruth Fitzmaurice’s book, I Found My Tribe. An idyllic swim spot in Greystones is this naturally formed cove with shingle beach nestled in rocky foreshore 170m south of Greystones Marina. On a crisp winter day there is nothing more refreshing.
SAUNA: Fad Saoil Sauna, The Cove Beach, Greystones, Co Wicklow
The Fad Saoil Saunas is a wood burning sauna service operating at the seaside location of The Cove Beach. The Sauna sessions are 30 to 45 minutes long at a temperature of 80-90 degrees. It is a warming, welcoming space to rock up into after your dip at The Cove. www.fadsaoilsaunas.ie
SWIM: Portmarnock Beach, Dublin
Also known as the Velvet Strand (thanks to its silky smooth sand), Portmarnock Beach is a lovely beach for a swim and a stroll.
SAUNA: Restore Sauna Portmarnock at White Sands Hotel
Relax, recover and unwind at the Restore Sauna in Portmarnock, at the White Sands Hotel after a swim on the beach. A gorgeous barrel sauna available for walk-ins or bookings and for groups or private use. It is a fantastic place to recentre. Ice baths coming soon! @restore_dub
JUST THE SAUNA: Barrel Sauna, Rathgar, Dublin
This sauna is perfect for all of the city dwellers who wish to stay dry. Although they do operate in Greystones as well, The Barrel Sauna have a location in Rathgar which one can approach from the street and simply rest, relax and reep the health benefits of a sauna sit. No swim needed. www.thebarrelsauna.ie