Saunas in Cork

Cork is the biggest county in Ireland and has the most saunas on SaunaTrail, and the map explains why: a coastline that runs from Youghal in the east, past Cobh and Kinsale, down through Clonakilty and Skibbereen to the Beara Peninsula, with a cove or a pier at every turn. Saunas in Cork tend to end the same way, with a plunge off the slip or a run into the surf. The city has its own scene too, in Ballintemple, Ballincollig and along the Lee.

The saunas listed here include barrel saunas, wood-fired cabins and mobile saunas that follow the strands. East Cork has Youghal, Garryvoe, Ballycroneen near Cloyne, Castlemartyr and Cobh. Around Kinsale there are saunas at Sandycove, Oysterhaven, Garrettstown and Kilbrittain, and near Bandon at Kilmacsimon. West Cork runs from Inchydoney and Red Strand near Clonakilty to Tragumna outside Skibbereen and Allihies at the far end of Beara, with an inland option at Inchigeelah on the Lee's lakes. Cold plunges are common, and many venues take group bookings. Kerry and Waterford continue the coast in either direction.