Public asked to help with information about the use of small stone structures as a type of Irish sauna.
Leitrim County Council is appealing for help from the public to improve knowledge about small stone structures, seemingly unique to Ireland, that were once used to treat ailments ranging from fevers to gout.
As part of a dedicated heritage project, the council is inviting people to share oral histories and any knowledge associated with these buildings, often described as resembling small stone igloos or an Irish take on a sauna.
Known as sweathouses, the structures were widely used in the 18th and 19th centuries as a form of traditional therapy. Archaeologist Aidan Harte explains that the structures were heated with turf until the stones themselves became intensely hot. The ashes were then cleared out and the floor lined with fresh green rushes. Individuals seeking treatment would crawl inside on their hands and knees before the entrance was sealed, allowing the heat to take effect. These sweathouses were primarily used to treat conditions such as rheumatism, gout, lameness and sciatica.
Leitrim is home to more known examples of these structures than any other part of Ireland. Sarah Malone, heritage officer with Leitrim County Council, says the project aims to engage the wider community in building a fuller picture of this distinctive aspect of Irish cultural heritage.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 16 June 2021.
The reporter is Eileen Magnier.
Credit to : CR’s Video Vaults