Mobile saunas have popped up across the country in recent years, particularly along beach or lakeside destinations.
However, county councils seemingly have no uniform bylaws to facilitate, license, or even regulate these types of businesses.
County Wexford, for instance, has a blanket ban on applications for mobile beachside saunas, while County Kerry plan to license two on a pilot basis.
But is the lack of clarity threatening to kill off this kind of business?
Chris Mortimer from sweathouse.ie told Lunchtime Live that he was forced to move his business to private land, despite having initially gotten permission from Wexford Council to set up a sauna on a beach.
“The rules are different across the country” he said.
“There's three different ways you could work with the explosion of saunas.
"One of them is in Wexford where they've banned us, which doesn't seem very constructive.
“Or you've got another way which is you can just allow the use and work out how to deal with them, which I think is pretty much where most County Councils are right now.”
Woman sits in her new mobile wood burning sauna on the seafront at Garrettstown, Co. Cork, Ireland. - Picture; David Creedon / Alamy Live News. 2 October 2021Mr Mortimer said the mobility of each sauna differs depending on its size and service needs.
Wexford Fianna Fáil Councillor Joe Sullivan said he doesn’t understand why the blanket ban is in place.
“As I can see, these mobile saunas are a welcome addition to our beaches,” he said.
“They're a further attraction, they're definitely helping tourism, they pose no danger, they’re not interfering with any other service provider.”
Cllr Sullivan said he would expect all mobile sauna providers would have their own public liability insurance, and so he cannot see what the issue is.
Main image: Pop-up wood-fired mobile sauna at Kiln Quay beach, Flushing, near Falmouth, Cornwall, UK. Image: Alex Ramsay / Alamy. 1 April 2024
