Information board (close-up)

Image: © Kenneth Allen Taken: 2 Mar 2011

The following text is included, "This is a well preserved example of a very rare monument, the sweathouse. Sweathouses were used like a sauna or steam room to cure fevers and pains and are notoriously difficult to date. There is evidence that they were in use in Ireland as early as the 7th Century and can be described as being an early form of Turkish Bath. Inside the sweathouse there is a fireplace of loose stones at the back with a stone beam situated above it and a small exit for smoke at the back. A fire of turf or wood would have been lit and the entrance sealed so that heat could build up allowing the stone walls to become quite hot. Then some rushes were spread on the floor and water thrown on the stones to produce steam. The patient then sat inside the sweathouse with the entrance closed. After remaining inside for a short period of time they emerged and bathed in the nearby Clougherna Burn. There is still evidence of the stream having been dammed to provide a plunge pool beside the sweathouse". See location detail on board here Image] It is a practice of any of the inhabitants troubled with pains or rheumatism of any kind to come to the vault and place in it a large fire for some hours until properly heated. The fire is then removed and the patient goes in naked. The door is then closed like that of an oven, and he remains until the whole frame becomes moist with perspiration. He is then wrapped in a quantity of wearing and other apparel and brought home. A close-up of the image shown here Image]

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