Whitechurch, Co. Cork

Heat, cold and a proper rest.

A fully covered sauna and recovery lounge at Whitechurch & Waterloo Community Centre. Sauna and ice baths, compression boots and a private red light room, open evenings and weekend mornings.

Book a session Call or WhatsApp 086 377 5408

Open evenings and weekend mornings

Opening hours

Your week at Sauna Geal

Sauna sessions start on the hour. Compression boots and the red light room run every half hour.

Monday 5:30 to 9:30pm Monday Club. Mornings are for others, evenings are for you.
Tuesday Closed A night off for the stove.
Wednesday 5:30 to 9:30pm Team recovery night. Squads welcome.
Thursday 5:30 to 9:30pm Team recovery night, with a ladies only hour from 6:30 to 7:30pm.
Friday 5:30 to 9:30pm Finish the week with fire and ice.
Saturday 10am to 2pm Weekend mornings. A slow start to the weekend.
Sunday 10am to 2pm Weekend mornings, before the Sunday dinner.

The lounge

From 110 degrees to 3, and back to rest.

Everything is under one roof in a timber building that's fully enclosed and covered overhead, so wind, rain or shine it's warm and dry inside. Here's what's waiting, in the order most people use it.

About 110°C

The barrel sauna

A traditional round barrel of warm timber with the stove at the far end. Ten to fifteen minutes at a time is plenty, and you can step out whenever you like. Nobody is timing you.

Session: Sauna & ice baths, 60 minutes
Price: €20
Places: Up to 10 people

Cold water tipping from an overhead bucket shower

Hot or cold, your choice

Hot and cold showers

Rinse off between rounds. Keep it warm if you like, or pull the tipping bucket for one big splash of cold. It's the quickest way to feel wide awake.

Two people sitting in the black ice baths inside the timber recovery room

About 3°C

The ice baths

A row of ice baths, kept cold and clean. A minute or two is enough for most people. The cold is always optional: if you're not ready for it, a cold shower does the same job while you build up to it.

Included in: Sauna & ice baths, €20

Someone lying on the red light therapy bed under the glowing canopy

A gentle glow, no heat

The red light room

A private room with a full-length red light bed. Lie down, close your eyes and have twenty minutes entirely to yourself.

Session: 20 minutes
Price: €20
Places: Private, one person

Four women relaxing in reclining chairs wearing compression boots

Lie back and rest

Compression boots and massage guns

Settle into a reclining chair while the boots gently squeeze and release your legs. Lovely after a long day on your feet, a long drive or a long run. Massage guns are there for tight shoulders and calves.

Session: 25 minutes
Price: €10
Places: Up to 6 people

Your first visit

Never been to a sauna? It's simple.

A session is an hour. Have a quick shower, then go round heat, cold and rest two or three times. Go at your own pace, and ask on the night if you're unsure of anything.

Heat

10 to 15 min

Sit in the sauna and breathe slowly. Step out whenever you've had enough.
Cold

1 to 2 min

A dip in the ice bath. Not ready for that yet? A cold shower does the job.
Rest

5 to 10 min

Sit down, sip some water and let your body settle before the next round.

Then go round again. Two or three rounds fills your hour.

What to bring

Swimwear
A towel
Flip-flops or sliders
A bottle of water

Look after yourself

If you have a heart condition, high or low blood pressure, are pregnant or have been unwell, check with your GP before you come. Skip the drink beforehand, keep sipping water, and step out any time you feel you've had enough.

Things people ask Edward

Do I need to be fit or sporty?

Not at all. Sauna Geal is not just for athletes. People come for tired legs, stiff backs, long working days, poor sleep or simply an hour of peace.

Can I come on my own?

Of course. Book a single place in any session. The red light room is always private, one person at a time.

Do I have to go in the ice bath?

No. It's there if you want it. A cold shower cools you down nicely, and some people skip the cold altogether.

What if the weather is bad?

The whole lounge is fully enclosed and covered overhead, so it's warm and dry whatever the weather is doing.

Can I book by phone instead?

Yes. Call or WhatsApp Edward on 086 377 5408 and he'll sort you out. You can also walk in, as long as there's space in the session.

Is there a time for women only?

Yes, Thursday evenings have a ladies only hour from 6:30 to 7:30pm.

Can I bring someone under 18?

Please ask Edward before booking for anyone under 18, so he can talk you through the age policy.

Prices

Simple prices, no membership needed.

Prices as listed on our booking page, September 2026. Booking online adds Wunderbook's small booking fee at checkout.

Coming every week? Buy a pack.

Sauna and ice bath sessions, paid once and used whenever suits you.

Core 4 sessions €70 €17.50 each, use within 30 days
Plus 8 sessions €130 €16.25 each, use within 45 days
Pro 12 sessions €180 €15 each, use within 60 days

Buying for someone who needs a rest? Gift cards are on our booking page.

Packs and gift cards

The round Sauna Geal sign lit from behind on a timber wall, reading Relax, Recover, Rise

The name

Named for home.

Whitechurch is An Teampall Geal in Irish. Sauna Geal is our small piece of it: a warm, quiet room at the community centre, open to the whole parish and anyone who makes the trip.

It's run by Edward Kenny, and it's for athletes and everyone else too: the nurse or teacher who's been on their feet all day, the desk worker with a stiff back, the runner after a long run, and anyone who just wants an hour where nobody needs anything from them.

Relax. Recover. Rise.

Hear it from Edward. A one-minute walk round the lounge.

Teams and groups

Recover together, perform better.

Wednesday and Thursday evenings are team recovery nights. Bring the squad after training, reset the legs and be ready for the weekend. GAA, soccer, rugby, running clubs and groups of friends are all welcome, and you can book the whole session privately.

Find us

At the community centre in Whitechurch.

Sauna Geal Recovery Lounge Whitechurch & Waterloo Community Centre
Whitechurch, Co. Cork
T34 RR58

Look for the timber building with the Sauna Geal sign.

Get directions

The timber-clad outside of the lounge with the Sauna Geal sign

Three ways to book

Online
Pick a session and pay in under a minute, with a card, Apple Pay or Google Pay.
Book a session
Phone or WhatsApp
Rather talk to a person? Ring or message Edward and he'll book you in.
Call 086 377 5408
Walk in
Walk-ins are welcome whenever there's space in the session. Weekday evenings and weekend mornings.
See the opening hours