Nude colonies or access to nude beaches are generally not associated with old Catholic Ireland. You will find them in Spain, France, Italy, Croatia and many other illustrated European countries but in Ireland, sure not? Anyway, the weather is terrible, you say. Who would want to do a nude bath in Ireland? Well, a lot of people, actually. And the weather is completely irrelevant for those who like to swim or walk without the impediments of clothing. It is not necessary to be at very high temperatures in exotic places to have the comfort of being without clothes. The south west areas of Ireland in particular benefit from the mild climate provided by the Gulf Stream and make them ideal nude spots.
Also note that the next small selection of locations are the so-called “unofficial.” Does this mean that those who swim naked in these places are breaking the law? It is a very gray area. In the technical sense, there may be reasons to say that the laws of decency are being violated. On the other hand, these areas are usually signposted and there is an unofficial “official” acceptance that allows the existence of these particular beach areas to be designated and dedicated to nudist use. In most cases, local authorities post signs for these areas.
These are just a small selection of the most popular places in Ireland.
Silver Strand Beach, Barna, County Galway
To get there, take the Galway-Spiddal road (R336). About four miles from Galway, just past Barna Woods and a gas station, there is a left turn signposted Silver Strand. About three hundred yards west of the main beach there is a small beach that is regularly used by naturists. To get to the naturist zone, walk for 15-20 minutes along the stones or on the bumpy path behind the nearby wall. Peace and quiet and above all privacy are assured in a spectacularly beautiful setting that is close to the lively and charming city of Galway.
Roundstone, County Galway
This beach is located in the beautiful Connemara area of County Galway where nature is most beautiful with stunning scenery comprising rivers, beaches, lakes and mountains. To get there, you need to take the Galway – Clifden highway from Galway City, also called the N59. Take the Coastal Road (R341) towards Roundstone.
Here is parking and a primitive but adequate textile campsite. Walk along the beach and take the short path that goes up a small hill at the end of the bay. You will come to a door. Pass the gate and cross the promontory for about 400 meters. There you will arrive at the beach in a lovely sandy cove. Note that the cove is not visible until you are close to it, making it a great setting for naturists in the first place.
West Cork, County Cork
If ever one area lends itself to being a naturist’s paradise in Ireland, it is stunning West Cork in the southwest of Ireland. There are dozens of quiet and secluded coves on the east and west sides of Clonakilty Bay, for example, that are well suited for naturism. Dunowen, also called Duneen, ends on a rocky cliff and is therefore very secluded and private. Further afield are Dunny Cove and Sands Cove. Further west again towards Glandore is the famous rocky inlet Prison Cove. On the east side there is a suitable cove near the village of Ring. Turn right over the bridge in the village and follow the road along the coast with Inchydoney Island across the channel on the right. After a while, the road turns inland and uphill. Halfway up this hill there is a narrow path on your right that leads almost to a protected rocky cove that is a private and accepted facility for naturists.
Ahead along this hilly road there is a sign for Simons Cove, which runs along the headland towards the South Ring, where a small lane leads to the sea. The cove is protected by a reef, but can be full of fibrous algae. The shores of Roaring Water Bay and Lough Hyne, which runs through Skibereen, along with the Beara Peninsula, have many deserted beaches that are accepted as naturist areas.
Corballis, Donabate, County Dublin
Corballis is a scattered beach near the pretty village of Donabate in North County Dublin at Junction 5 of the MI motorway northbound. The road from here leads to the town of Donabate with signs for the beach. Drive to the beach and park as low as possible. Beware of soft sand. Walk further down the beach for 15 to 20 minutes. This area is known as Corballis and has long been used by naturists. Alternatively: two miles down the road towards Donabate, turn right at the signs for Island Golf Club and Corballis Golf Club. Continue for approximately 1½ miles until you see a small green gate just before the entrance to the Island Golf Club. Go through the gate and follow the path over the dunes until you reach the beach. Turn right and walk for 10-15 minutes. Peace and tranquility are assured and there is a long and respected tradition for naturists in this area.
Brittas Bay in Co. Wicklow
Brittas Bay is probably one of the best naturist beaches on the east coast of Ireland. It is also a very popular camping and caravan site frequented mainly by Dubliners who escape the capital during weekends and holiday periods. The main beach is an exclusively textile area. The naturist beach is located almost two miles south of the main beach and is the most popular naturist beach in Ireland. It is long and sandy, backed by large dunes but with a stony strip between the dunes and the water (sandals recommended!).
Leave Junction 7 of the M11 Dublin-Wexford main south motorway, nine miles south of Rathnew. Follow the Jack White’s Cross and Pub sharp sign. Follow this road until you cannot go any further. Turn right and follow the coast for about 1¾ miles until you come to a collection of fir trees and poles marked Buckrooney at a road junction. At the crossroads there is a small green door. Go through the gate and follow the path to the naturist part of the beach. Once you are on the beach, turn left and walk until you see a fence in the dunes beyond the sixth in a line of lifebuoys. Between the fence and the stream further along the beach is the naturist area. You can swim, sunbathe and walk comfortably on the beach or in the dunes without any problems or possible interruptions. However, as this is a very popular family resort, don’t venture naked outside of the dedicated naturist area.
So who said Ireland was a prissy country? Freedom of speech is evolving all the time on the Emerald Isle and De Valera’s beautiful country maidens who dance at the crossroads have long been gone in the company of fairies and that’s surely not a bad thing.
For more information on other nude places and practices in Ireland, check out The Irish Naturist Association.
