A stroll around Dublin city centre on a slightly sunny day will tell you that that Irish are never shy in whipping off a few layers.

And now those fond of sunbathing in the nip will be able to do so this summer after it was revealed that Ireland is getting it first official nudist-friendly beach.

According to The Sun, Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council will begin erecting public notices next month at Hawk Cliff in Dalkey, Co Dublin warning other bathers of the likelihood of seeing naked people.

Irish Naturist Association (INA) chief Pat Gallagher hailed the move as a "milestone for ­Ireland", saying that “every other country in Europe has these kinds of signs”.

Hawk Cliff will still be open to clothed swimmers and the signage will simply be a way of forewarning beachgoers about seeing bathers wandering about in the nude.


“It will more than likely say something like ‘nude bathers may be seen beyond this point’," Gallagher told The Sun. “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.

The announcement comes after the law regarding public nudity was changed in 2017 to refer only to someone who is “intending to cause fear, distress or alarm” and engages in sexual activity.

Gallagher 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.”


In 2016, it was revealed that almost three quarters of Irish people believe we should have a nudist beach — but only 65 per cent would go naked on that beach.

A survey by Newstalk found that 73 per cent of those surveyed believe there should be at least one nudist beach in Ireland.

Of those surveyed, 66 per cent said they think the Irish are prudes, but only 65 per cent admitted they would go naked on the beach.