Travel Features

JOE: What beaches allow nudity in Ireland?

PG: We are the only EU country not to have an official nudist beach specifically designated by any local authority or council.

Not all beaches in Ireland are used by the general public so we (the INA) go to areas that members have sussed out for themselves. There are a number of them around the country and anyone can view the list and get directions by going to www.irishnaturism.org.

JOE: Are peeping Toms a problem?

PG: Well, I've been on beaches all over Europe and even to Brazil, and it isn't a problem. Sure, you might get the odd one here and there and I know some of the beaches we use in Ireland from time to time you look up to the sand dunes and you see their heads popping up and down. So some days we just look back at them and point the camera for the craic of it.

JOE: And you're not breaking any laws by letting it all hang out on these beaches?

PG: We consider this to be a bit of a grey area because a number of laws to a specific community go back to the 1840s and they wouldn't stand up in court these days anyway.

The one law that may stand up in court is the Public Order Act of 1935 but under that it would have to be shown that there was intent to offend. So going down to Dollymount Strand, stripping off and running up and down flashing yourself would probably be deemed as intent to offend!

JOE: So what does the INA want the authorities to do about it?

PG: One of the avenues we've been approaching has been writing to various councils. At the moment we have written to Kerry and Wicklow again, trying to prompt them to help us with signage for beaches.

We sent them some facts and figures on naturist tourism. We're not saying people will come here for naturism. They'll come to Ireland for fishing, play a bit of golf, have the craic in the pubs and see the scenery but they will also come to Ireland provided that there may be somewhere they can enjoy a day on the beach without clothing and without facing prosecution.

We carried out an online survey recently to the European naturist communities on all their websites and 82% responded 'yes' to the question: "Would you consider Ireland as a naturist tour destination?"

JOE: Thanks for all the information Pat. Enjoy the summer.

PG: Oh we will. Bye.