Kilcullen's Seaweed Baths
Kilcullen's Seaweed Baths is an atmospheric bath house, is a family run business, with history spanning nearly 100 years, across five generations. It was 1912, the year of the 'Titanic', when the doors of Kilcullen's Bath House were first opened. The Bath House has a certain quaint Edwardian charm, reminding the bather of the simple elegance of a bygone age.
For the unexperienced, a seaweed bath is derived from the basic elements of steam, seawater, and sea weed. Steam to warm the bones and open the pours is self administered in a cedar steam box, with a primitive wood handle throttling the desired steam. And seawater, in a half drawn tub, enriched with the requisite bucket of seaweed. Kilcullen's seaweed is harvested on site, and is fresh, green and leafy. Much like your body its also been pre-steamed, with the intent of killing off any critters and releasing vital oils.
Kilcullen's historic Bath House contains eleven bathing rooms, including eight single and three doubles. The Bath House is divided into two sections-- the old section, dating back to 1912 and the new, from a relatively recent edition-- though you'd be hard pressed to distinguish the difference. Original vintage fittings run throughout the premises: glazed porcelain baths, solid brass taps, panelled wooden shower cisterns, and ornate tile.
Despite its rich history, Kilcullen's Bath House has a simple, pleasing aesthetic. There's a surprising lack of formality and pretense at Kilcullens. No piped in music. No sappy romanticizing of nature. Nor any espousing the myriad therapeutic benefits of seaweed. Cafe tables provide a makeshift sitting room. People drift in and out, many locals, who enjoy seaweed baths as a vital part of their daily lives.
The practice of bathing in hot water and Seaweed is a tradition in the West of Ireland, providing relief from the painful symptoms of rheumatism and arthritis. The therapeutic power of the Seaweed Bath is legendary, attributed to the high concentration of Iodine naturally occurring in sea water and, in particular, seaweed, which can have have up to 20,000 times the concentration of Iodine of the water in which they grow.
Kilcullen's tubs are curvaceous and comfortable, and ceramic, with plenty of room for stretching and unwinding. Seaweed baths invigorate the senses, providing a welcome meditation, an exercise in the fine art of doing nothing. Watch the steam rising. Listen to the sound of water dripping, raindrops against the window. Guests to Kilcullens are encouraged to stay for as long as they desire. However long it takes, you're told. Eventually, when ready a cooling shower closes the pours and prepares for a re-emergence into reality.
"Patrons of these baths when using seaweed would oblige management by putting the used weed into the bucket provided for the purpose before letting out the water." This sign that hung above the baths, prepared by management in 1912, a reminder of Kilcullens proud heritage , as was of basic bathing etiquette.
