To Whom It May Concern,

I am writing as the owner of Bothán na Mara Inch sauna to formally raise safety concerns regarding the proposed placement of the sauna facility at the Blue Flag beach on Inch,

specifically within the currently allocated car park area. While we are supportive of initiatives that enhance wellbeing and encourage responsible sea use, the current proposed location presents significant and avoidable safety risks.

The primary concern relates to the lack of visibility from the allocated car park area to the sea and designated bathing zone. This limitation directly impacts the ability to monitor sauna users who enter the water, particularly in situations where immediate intervention may be required.

From a safety and operational standpoint, the following risks should be carefully considered:

Lack of Visual Supervision:

The current car park location does not provide a clear or unobstructed view of the bathing zone. This prevents sauna staff from maintaining visual contact with clients while they are in the water.

Delayed Emergency Response:

In the event of a swimmer getting into difficulty, the inability to immediately identify distress situations could result in critical delays. In water safety scenarios, seconds or minutes can make the difference between a successful rescue and a fatal outcome.

Increased Risk Outside Lifeguard Season:

Outside of the official lifeguard service period, there is no dedicated beach supervision. During these times, the responsibility for identifying and responding to emergencies may fall to nearby operators. Without visibility, this role cannot be effectively fulfilled.

Duty of Care to Clients:

Sauna users are often encouraged to alternate between heat exposure and cold water immersion. This practice can increase the risk of cold shock, disorientation, or fatigue in the water. Operators therefore have an enhanced duty of care to ensure users can be observed at all times.

Underutilisation of Trained Personnel:

As a Community First Responder, and with trained lifeguards involved in sauna operations, there is capacity to provide an added layer of safety. However, this is only effective if there is direct visibility of the bathing area to allow rapid assessment and response.

Public Safety and Liability Concerns:

Failure to ensure adequate supervision may expose both operators and relevant authorities to unnecessary risk, particularly in the event of a preventable incident.

In light of the above, I would strongly recommend that the proposed location be reconsidered.

A more suitable and significantly safer alternative would be to allocate the sauna on the beach itself or located with clear visibility of the beach. This location offers several clear advantages:

Direct and uninterrupted visibility of the sea and bathing zone
Immediate access to the water in case of emergency
Alignment with an already active, safety conscious area of the beach
Enhanced ability for trained personnel to monitor, assess, and respond quickly
Improved integration with existing beach activities that already prioritise water safety

Relocating the proposed sauna location to this area would greatly reduce risk, improve response capability, and ensure that user safety remains the top priority.

Ultimately, this request is grounded in a commitment to protecting lives. With the appropriate positioning, the sauna can be both a valuable amenity and a safe one. Without adequate visibility, however, it presents an unnecessary and avoidable hazard.

Thank you for your time and consideration of this important safety matter.

Yours sincerely,

Shannah Gordon

Owner from Bothán na Mara Inch Sauna.

www.inchsauna.ie

mobile: 087 0615544

Draft Kerry County Council Beach (Amendments) Bye-Laws 2026 - Submissions

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