Kerry County Council is to issue pilot licences to allow saunas to operate at beaches this summer.
A report by the council’s chief executive, Fearghal Reidy, outlined that these pilot licences are a temporary solution while a review of byelaws takes place.
The report said that Kerry County Council will develop appropriate byelaws to accommodate saunas and other appropriate services at designated beach locations.
This follows on from a motion calling for saunas to be permitted at beaches, after which the council’s executive committed to reviewing its beach byelaws.
The council acknowledged that the process of drafting and adopting suitable byelaws will take several months, so an interim solution will be in place for this summer.
This will be a pilot licence, initially for two saunas, one in Banna and one in Ballyheigue, via an open call in April.
The council says this will ensure, if suitable operators are available, a sauna service could be in place for the 2025 bathing season, which runs from 1st June to 15th September.
The chief executive’s report opened the door for more beaches to be included in this pilot system.
Once the pilot has been completed for Banna and Ballyheigue, the council will examine the need to extend the pilot to other areas of the county for the 2025 season.
