The Hot and the Cold of it: Aufguss and Sauna Culture in Ireland

Ireland's sauna scene is quickly growing and it's rooted in something ancient. Over 200 independent saunas have opened across Ireland, most since 2020. Many of these spaces are deeply connected to the landscape and sea. For sauna in Ireland, this isn't a wellness trend. It's a return to the teach allais — Ireland's centuries-old stone sweat house..In this episode of our Celtic Bathing Series, I sit down with Ryan and Danielle Bradley of Northern Ireland. What started as a garden sauna during Covid has grown into a full sauna lifestyle: Ryan is now a certified freelance Aufguss master traveling sauna-to-sauna across Northern Ireland, and their backyard sauna was purpose-built as a space to develop and host Aufguss rituals.Ryan and I trained together last fall through Anada's sauna master certification program in the UK. In this conversation we cover the freelance Aufguss life, ritual design, and what it takes to bring ceremony to new communities. Danielle shares what it means to build and share that space as a couple and how they found their way to sauna.Follow their journey at @thehotandthecoldofitTopics include: Irish sauna culture—defining it today and its recent riseFreelance Aufgussing in Northern IrelandTips for freelance Aufguss and sauna mastersBuilding a backyard sauna made for Aufguss ritualsThe future of Irish sauna cultureResources:Anada Sauna Master Training (UK-based)Ritual Heat Sauna Master Training (US based. The next training is July 11 - 12  2026 at Bathe in Austin, TX)Soul Water Sauna in Edinburgh, Scotland periodically hosts whisking workshops and experiences. Irish saunas to explore: Hot Box, Fad Saoil, Helios (including Ireland’s first floating sauna)Sweat House by Rosanna CooneyFrom Sweathouse to Shoreline: The Rise of Sauna Culture in IrelandThe Sauna Boom in IrelandThis episode was edited by Lila Woodbridge.💧Badii Talk has a Substack! Join us where wellness meets travel. We explore global bathing traditions, sauna rituals, and spa culture through the lens of place and community.💙⁠ ⁠Subscribe⁠⁠ today and support an independently produced and funded podcast. The sauna and bathing industry in the US and UK is growing fast. Where there’s growth, money and big companies will follow. If you want to see a bathing culture that isn’t just led by the folks with the most cash, support a platform that is run from a grassroots level. A platform that can authentically prioritize a respect for culture, science, and community. Badii offers passionate and curious bathers and spa-goers access to news, education, and recommendations about global bathing culture. Explore more bathing culture:Website:⁠ www.badii.life⁠Instagram:⁠ @badii.life