Sweat house in Knockacullion [drum. by.], County Leitrim

What is recorded here

Sweat house in Knockacullion [drum. by.] tucked the hot room into a hill and put the stream beside it. Nowadays you’d pay a fortune for that and get a robe. Here, the hill was the robe.

Corbelled limestone sweat house, built c.1700, with drystone corbelled chamber. No longer in use. Square-headed door opening with lintel. Built into side of hillock and adjacent to stream.

Sweat houses, an Irish type of sauna, are particular to Leitrim and South Ulster. They are often found, as in this case, set into a bank and adjacent to a source of fresh water. They were beneficial in easing the symptons of rheumatism and other related ailments. In fair condition, this sweat house retains its corbelled roof.

From the Buildings of Ireland (National Inventory of Architectural Heritage) record 30921001

This does not grant access. Most recorded buildings are privately owned; view them only from public ground unless the owner allows entry.