🇮🇪 The Swilly Sauna

A wood-fired sauna right on the sandy shore of Rathmullan's Main Beach, with cold plunges directly into the clear waters of Lough Swilly — a glacially formed sea lough stretching 30 miles into the Donegal highlands. Rathmullan itself is one of Donegal's most historically significant villages, famous for the Flight of the Earls in 1607, with a castle, a Carmelite friary ruin, and a sandy Blue Flag beach that feels far from the tourist trail. Sessions run Saturday and Sunday mornings, hosted by Ricky — expect an unhurried, social atmosphere with views across the lough to the Inishowen hills and the Urris Mountains beyond. Book via Instagram; this small-capacity venue fills up fast, particularly in summer, so advance booking is strongly recommended.