Ireland is fast becoming one of the world's best nudist beach destinations.
The Emerald Isle, not known for public nudity, has now joined Spain, France, Italy, and Croatia in the top ranks of nudist beaches.
The south west of the country is particularly popular with nude sunbathers who enjoy the benign climate, courtesy of the Gulf Stream.
Fans say that Ireland's climate is actually perfect for nude beach-going.
These are the top five destinations in Ireland as reported by nude beach lovers:
Silver Strand Beach, Barna, County Galway
Silver Strand is about four miles away from Galway and naturists flock to the small beach just off the main beach. To access the nudist beach, walk for about 20 minutes on the stone path. The perfectly quiet beach is in a beautiful setting and well worth the walk to get there.
Roundstone, County Galway
This beach, which is surrounded by stunning scenery including rivers, beaches lakes, and mountains, is off the Galway – Clifden road at the exit marked Roundstone.
Naturists must walk the full length of the beach and then take a path up the hill to a gate. Another path leads across the headland from the gate to a sandy cove which is barely visible until you are nearly on top of it.
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West Cork, County Cork
Stunning West Cork offers dozens of quiet and secluded coves. Perfect destinations include the eastern and western sides of Clonakilty Bay, Dunowen with its rocky cliffs, Dunny Cove, and Sands Cove, while Glandore includes the famous rocky Prison Cove that is a long-accepted haven for naturists.
Naturists can also explore Simons Cove, Roaring Water Bay, Lough Hyne, and the magnificent Beara peninsula which have many deserted beaches for nude beach lovers.
Corballis, Donabate, County Dublin
Corballis is just off the busy M1 motorway which links Dublin to Belfast. The beach can be accessed by driving through Donabate to the beach itself. Naturists should park as far down the beach as possible but be careful of the soft sand when parking. Once parked, just walk down the beach for about 20 minutes until you come to the secluded area.
Another option is to drive towards Donabate but turn right at the signpost for the Island Golf Club and Corballis Golf Club. There is a small lay by just before the entrance to the golf club where cars can be parked. Walk through the gate and follow the path over the dunes until you reach the beach. Once there, turn right and walk for another 15 minutes to the restful naturist area.
Brittas Bay, Co. Wicklow
Brittas Bay is said to be one of the best naturist beaches on the east coast. It is certainly the most popular. The main beach is clothes-only and attracts campers and caravans at the weekend and during national holidays. The naturist beach, which is some two miles south of the main beach, is long and sandy, backed by large dunes but with a stony strip between the dunes and the water.
To get there, take the Junction 7 of the main Dublin-Wexford M11 south motorway, nine miles south of Rathnew. Follow the signpost for Jack White’s Cross and Pub and take the road until you can go no further. Take the turn right and follow the coast for about 2 miles until you come to an area marked "Buckrooney."
This area is gated and once you are through the gate, turn left and walk on the beach until you reach the fencing area on the dunes. This area is for naturists, however, the INA cautions that nude beach goers should not venture outside the protected area as the beach is so popular with clothed families.
For more information, contact the Irish Naturist Association.
Originally published in 2010.
15 Comments
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Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.abhainn | May 04, 2013, 08:03 PM EDT
Ireland certainly has beautiful beaches but, given the prevailing temperatures, it is a ridiculous lie to claim that "Ireland's climate is actually perfect for nude beach-going". As for the country "fast becoming" a nudist beach "destination", the Irish have quietly gone nude in secluded spots for decades, including at Curracloe, County Wexford and skinny dipping at night in Dollymount in Dublin. And why was the famous, historical Forty Foot nude bathing spot in Sandycove, County Dublin not mentioned? This article is amateur work.
jessicahere | Feb 06, 2012, 08:42 PM EST
Are you a true nudist looking for a nudist mate or nudist partner, nudistkiss. com is the best choice to you
uc47163 | Jan 22, 2012, 05:23 PM EST
I was in Ireland this past September...Best time of my life but I usually had 3 layers of clothes on. Just cant imagine it really gets warm enough to shed all the layers.
cillowen | Jan 20, 2012, 06:54 PM EST
the shrinkage will be mighty awesome even before venturing in.
CaliforniaShamrock | Jan 20, 2012, 04:54 PM EST
Must be hardy nordic souls who swim in summer in Ireland (yes I have been there) let alone chance it in the altogether! More power to ye!
greensod | Jan 20, 2012, 04:47 PM EST
Be careful! Kenny will find a way to tax it.
ConnieCobe | Jan 20, 2012, 04:10 PM EST
I have been in Ireland in June and September and, I have to say I'd require a light jacket at least as temps are a bit cooler there than what I am used to here in the states. Hats off to the sunbathers, stronger stuff than I have for sure!
Curitiba | Jan 20, 2012, 03:53 PM EST
Why do only ugly people engage in naturism?
SeamusMartin | Jan 20, 2012, 12:41 PM EST
Wish this article had given temperatures and if men's and women's "facilities" are about. Wish the walks weren't so far too. Guess the Irish Tourists Board should work on getting folks to the nude beaches faster. I've yet to experience au natural in Erie, but in Jamaica we found a nude island with a pool bar and various smokes at Couples Resort... it was incredible! With my wife being a bit shy, I told her we'd wear sunglasses then no one would know who we were, nor what we'd be looking at!
muirisobric | Jan 20, 2012, 12:00 PM EST
Just my luck, nary a 1 in Kerry. I remember in my teens in West Kerry a group of us would go off for a swim on Sunday bereft of swimsuits as we never had any. The elders would try to disuade us & tell us that certain fish go for wriggly appendages as they look like oversize worms. But we still went swimming & our wrigglies survived.
IAPRINCESS | Jan 20, 2012, 11:56 AM EST
I have been to Ireland in May, June, July and August and I think a blanket is needed with the wonderful sea breezes I experienced. More power to those who like to "be in tune with nature" give me the blanket PLEASZE!
IAPRINCESS | Jan 20, 2012, 11:56 AM EST
I have been to Ireland in May, June, July and August and I think a blanket is needed with the wonderful sea breezes I experienced. More power to those who like to "be in tune with nature" give me the blanket PLEASZE!
IAPRINCESS | Jan 20, 2012, 11:56 AM EST
I have been to Ireland in May, June, July and August and I think a blanket is needed with the wonderful sea breezes I experienced. More power to those who like to "be in tune with nature" give me the blanket PLEASZE!
IAPRINCESS | Jan 20, 2012, 11:55 AM EST
I have been to Ireland in May, June, July and August and I think a blanket is needed with the wonderful sea breezes I experienced. More power to those who like to "be in tune with nature" give me the blanket PLEASZE!
SingleDonald | Jan 20, 2012, 11:34 AM EST
One question I have is this: Is it OK to tactfully regard the opposite sex? I hear that some of these places are very puritanical. Tactful looking should not only be tolerated, but accepted. One doesn't loose interest in the opposite sex, when all is on display! So long as no lewd activity takes place, both women & men should be accepting of this natural thing. In an open environment, being regarded by the opposite gender shows how comfortable & secure one is.