A Banbridge couple have recently opened the hottest new venue in Gowleygate, County Armagh – a handcrafted ‘hot stone sauna’ where people can relax, rejuvenate and reconnect.
Andrea, originally from Armagh, and Jacek Ramus, a Pole, have taken their love of the traditional Finnish sauna and its endless benefits and created an authentic ritual sauna space in Northern Ireland.
Andrea explained the concept in an interview with Armagh I: “Basically, when we were in Poland, we went to a lot of saunas together. We tried different types of saunas, both more commercial and more rustic, so we wanted to bring something similar here for people to experience.”
Together they create a “completely different experience” than the typical leisure centre sauna, which will impress even the most seasoned sauna enthusiasts.
Situated on the shores of Lough Neagh, this fully mobile, wood-fired Finnish-style sauna was built by Jacek himself and aims to bring users back to their roots and nature, embodying the spirit of ‘disconnecting to reconnect’.
The traditional Finnish sauna is an ancient custom. Originally intended as a place of purification and cleansing, the sauna is now seen as a means of physical and spiritual healing.
Inspired by tradition, the ‘country’ hot stone sauna encourages users to try several popular Scandinavian and Central European sauna rituals that are less common in Northern Ireland, such as ‘stirring’, using oils, wearing a hat and bathing ‘no textiles’ using only a towel.
“It’s a slow sauna,” says Andrea. It’s a long, slow process, as most traditional sauna rituals last for hours. Each sauna session here lasts an hour, during which you enter the sauna — wearing a sauna cap, if you like — and massage yourself with sauna whisks before cooling off in the cold water.
“Traditionally, some people take a forest bath after the sauna, lying in the forest for 10 to 15 minutes before repeating the process. It is recommended to spend as much time outdoors as possible during the sauna experience, so we encourage people to relax in a cold fresh water bath, use our fresh water shower or lie down in one of our chairs.”
The “whisks” Andrea is talking about are made from the leaves of trees such as birch, oak and hazel, which are collected at certain times of the year, then dried and glued together to make whisks. Before entering the sauna, the whisk is moistened and used to self-massage the entire body, releasing intoxicating natural aromatherapy that improves circulation and infuses the skin with essential vitamins and oils.
Andrea and Jacek understand that many of these practices are new to visitors and may even be intimidating. So when you arrive at The Hot Rocks Sauna, you will be given a friendly and thorough explanation of the use of essential oils, sauna hats, massages, and multiple hot and cold water therapies available on site.
While they prefer to use “light” oils such as orange, pomegranate, and cottonseed in their saunas, they are happy to allow visitors to bring their own oils.
After a brief tour of the facilities, guests will enjoy a one-hour session that includes 10-15 minutes in a sauna, followed by a fresh water shower, 10-15 minutes in a cold bath or outdoor relaxation, and then repeating the entire process.
However, Andrea advises: “The temperature in the sauna can reach 100 degrees Fahrenheit, but most of the time it is around 90 degrees. For us (Andrea and Jacek), since we are in the sauna all the time, anything below 80 degrees is cold right now. The recommended time in the sauna is 15 minutes, but it is individual for each person. You need to listen to your body’s reactions. We use sauna caps, which help insulate the heat from the head, so you can stay in it longer.”
“We also have a 15-minute timer in the sauna, but listen to your body and if it’s telling you you can only do five or six minutes, then get out, cool down, relax, drink a bottle of water, take a cold bath and come back. It’s your session, so do it the way you feel most comfortable.”
Andrea says that beyond relaxation, regular sauna use has many benefits, including “immediate mood improvement, improved sleep, improved cardiovascular and respiratory health, help with chronic pain and fatigue, and can improve skin conditions such as mild eczema.”
In preparation for your appointment, Andrea offers some helpful tips: “Take at least two towels with you: one to sit on when you go into the sauna to protect yourself from the sauna and the sauna from you, and one to dry yourself off.
“We also recommend that people wear special shoes or flip-flops when leaving and moving around the sauna, and remove any jewelry as it can cause overheating and burns.
“Also, remember to bring water to stay hydrated. We provide complimentary bottled water, flip-flops, towels and hats, but supplies are limited.”
Hot Rocks Sauna accepts individual and group bookings, as well as bookings for parties of up to 10 people at a time. Since the sauna is mobile, its staff also invites you to private events.
Public and private sessions (for those who prefer to go textile-free) are available and can be booked on The Hot Rocks Sauna website.
Once you book, you will receive a confirmation email with reminders on what you need to bring and how to prepare for your session.
Meetings are currently held on Friday evenings and all day on Saturday and Sunday the second weekend of each month.
The project is part-funded by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs and the European Union under Priority 6 (Leaders) of the Northern Ireland Rural Development Plan 2014–2020.