Naturism in Ireland

Public Nudity Laws

Comprehensive guide to public nudity laws, regulations, and penalties

Topless Sunbathing Laws

Is it legal to sunbathe topless? Country-by-country legal guide

Indecent Exposure Laws

What constitutes indecent exposure and the penalties in each country

Age Restrictions

Legal age requirements for nudity, naturist venues, and events

Photography Laws

Legal requirements for photographing nude subjects and naturist activities

Naturist Venue Regulations

Legal requirements for nudist resorts, clubs, and venues

Event Permits & Licensing

Requirements for organizing nudist events and gatherings

The Forty Foot is a rocky promontory and deep-water bathing place at Sandycove, just south of Dún Laoghaire and about 13 km south of Dublin city centre, beside the Martello tower made famous by the opening of Joyce's Ulysses. Swimmers enter the sea from rock ledges and steps into deep, clear and cold water, and people swim here all year round. For generations it was a men-only bathing place where nude swimming was the tradition. It has long been open to everyone, and the Irish Naturist Association notes that nude bathing now happens only very early in the morning. During the day and at weekends it is very busy with clothed swimmers and is not a naturist spot. There is no sand: it is all rock and concrete, with limited shelter. A visit suits experienced sea swimmers who want a traditional early-morning dip rather than anyone looking for a nude beach to spend the day on.

County Donegal beach with naturist-friendly atmosphere and dramatic Atlantic coastline. One of Ireland's few recognised naturist beaches since the 2017 decriminalisation.

Baltray lies on the north shore of the Boyne estuary in County Louth, a few kilometres east of Drogheda, beside the links of County Louth Golf Club. Beyond the village a long, shallow, mostly sandy strand runs along the Irish Sea, backed by an intact dune system. The Irish Naturist Association lists the stretch around the wreck of the MV Irish Trader as a place where naturism is tolerated. The wreck's hull, worn down by years of tide and storms, is the beach's landmark and is visible as soon as you come out of the dunes, though reaching it takes about half an hour on foot. The beach is long and secluded, which suits naturists, but walkers also use it, so the association advises discretion when others pass. There is no designated nude area and no facilities on the strand. The water is shallow a long way out.

Brittas Bay is one of Wicklow's best-known beaches, a long sweep of sand backed by high, protected dunes about an hour's drive south of Dublin. The northern and central parts, near the main car parks, are busy with families and caravan-park visitors in summer. Naturists use Sallymount, the southern stretch about 2 miles further on towards Buckroney, where the dunes are higher and fewer people walk. The Irish Naturist Association calls it one of the most popular naturist beaches in Ireland and says naturists have used it for more than fifty years. The beach is fine, pale sand that shelves into the Irish Sea, with marram-grass dunes behind and no shade. Strong currents are a known hazard, so the INA advises not swimming alone, and there is no lifeguard at the Sallymount end. Being so close to Dublin, it gets lots of visitors on warm weekends. The association asks visitors to be discreet at busy times and to keep well south of the family beach. There are no facilities at the naturist end.

Caliso Bay is a beach on the coast of west County Waterford, between Youghal and Dungarvan, about 5 km off the N25 at Clashmore Cross. The Irish Naturist Association lists it as a naturist location: arriving at the beach car park, the naturist section is to the right. The bay is on an exposed stretch of the south coast, and the INA warns specifically of dangerous currents and rip tides here, so it is better for sunbathing and paddling than for serious swimming. There are no facilities at the beach; the nearest towns for supplies are Youghal (about 13 km) and Dungarvan (about 12 km).

Clogher Strand is a small, dramatic beach on the far western tip of the Dingle Peninsula in County Kerry, about 10 miles from Dingle along the R559 Slea Head Drive, below Clogher Head and facing the open Atlantic. The Irish Naturist Association lists the area as a naturist location. Naturists use the southern side of Clogher Head and a beach about a mile north of Clogher Beach, around the Head; a small bay between Clogher Head and Sybil Point is also mentioned as suitable. The coast here is rugged, with dark rocks and big Atlantic swells, and the water is cold and often rough. There are no facilities at the beach; Ballyferriter and Dingle have shops and pubs.