IRELAND is getting its first official nudist-friendly beach — leaving naked bathers cock-a-hoop.

Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council is to put up public notices at Hawk Cliff in Dalkey, Co Dublin, which will warn others about seeing bathers in the buff.

4 Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council is to put up public notices at Hawk Cliff in Dalkey

Irish Naturist Association chief Pat Gallagher explained: “Every other country in Europe has these kind of signs.

“It is a milestone for ­Ireland.”

The INA is in talks with a ­number of local authorities about getting similar signage placed at other beaches giving nude bathers the thumbs up.

The sign at Dalkey is flagged to be put up this month and comes following recent changes in the law which means that in-the-nip bathers are not doing anything illegal.

Under the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 2017, public nudity is only deemed an offence when someone is “intending to cause fear, distress or alarm” or engages in sexual activity.

Gallagher insists Hawk Cliff will still be open to clothed swimmers — who he referred to as “textiles” — but explained they will now be forewarned about seeing punters wandering about starkers.

4 Lad out for a wander down to the water Credit: Garrett White - The Sun

He told us: “Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown have indicated they will put up signage in this area. They are simply putting a sign up that will indicate nude bathers may be using this area.

“It will more than likely say something like ‘nude bathers may be seen beyond this point’.

“So for someone reading that, if for any reason they are in fear or distress, at least they will have notification that there may be nude bathers.

“It gives us reassurance that we are not going to offend anybody.”

He added: “We have never asked any local authority to designate areas specifically for naturists. We have always used the term ‘clothing optional’.

“The council won’t be ­authorising this as a naturist or nudist area. They are simply saying people use the area for nude bathing so you are pre-warned.

“We don’t go out to offend anyone. We simply want to go there, lie in the sun, get in the water, have a swim . . . but we don’t want to wear anything, that’s all.”

4 Chap flops down on rock to catch some rays Credit: Garrett White - The Sun

Other spots popular with naturists include Corballis in Donabate, north county Dublin, Sallymount near Brittas Bay in Co Wicklow, Curracloe, Co Wexford, Kilkee, Co Clare, Inch, Co Kerry, and ­Trawalua Strand, Co Sligo.

And Mr Gallagher revealed: “We have approached several local authorities with the idea that they put signage on areas that are well used to indicate that nude bathers may be seen.

“If for anyone reason you are offended by that at least you are pre-warned. We are waiting on two more councils to see if they are going to follow suit.”

The head nudist believes the ­signage could lead to a tourism boost for Ireland. He explained: “Other federations would recommend to their ­members to come to Ireland, ­providing there were areas they felt safe and the same laws applied as in their own countries.”

4 Chap at one with nature in Irish Sea Credit: Garrett White - The Sun

But the signs have angered Councillor John Bailey who says politicians were kept in the dark.

The Fine Gael man — dad of TD Maria — told us: “I would be totally opposed. Dalkey is a very settled community and it would bring people in that shouldn’t come into the town. I don’t agree with it. This was discussed about a year ago.”

He continued: “There was nothing specific and it was just a general discussion. There was no vote. I can’t remember who raised it but there were a lot of comments. How do you police it 24 hours a day? You can’t.

“Being from Dalkey, I know the area well. I will be raising this in the council. It is not right for the area. It is a beautiful scenic spot and there are a lot of young people and children. So it does not send out the right message.”

But Mr Gallagher responded: “It is not an act of indecency.

“As regards children, they should be supervised anywhere near open water and adults can read signs.

“On the continent there are lots of beaches where you have people sitting in their swimming attire alongside people with nothing on. And everybody lives in harmony.”

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Asked why he enjoyed nude bathing, the togs-snubbing chief told the Irish Sun: “Try it for yourself. I wouldn’t see myself going to a beach and wearing fronts.

“I don’t see the reason for them. It is just to hide other people’s shame that they shouldn’t have in the first place.

“We are born naked and we will die naked . . what’s the difference?”