Two Galway beaches listed for nudists

Two beaches in West Galway have been recommended for nude sunbathing – despite the fact that the practice is illegal in this country.

Beaches near Roundstone and at Silver Strand in Barna have been listed as places where bathers have been advised to strip off.

Naturists are being given specific details of where to go on these beaches to reveal all and so as not to cause offence to other bathers. Part of the beach at Silver Strand has regularly been used by nudists over the years and has gone under the legal radar. But a public representative has objected to the fact that a beach at Roundstone is being recommended for nudist bathing.

Cllr Eileen Mannion of Fine Gael said that she was shocked to discover that the beach near Dog’s Bay is being recommended by the Irish Naturist’s Association as a place to bare all.

“This is a family destination and it is not a place for nudity. I have been talking to people from the area and they are appalled that it is listed as a place being recommended for people to go nude,” Cllr. Mannion added.

In the Irish Naturists website they advise nude bathers to go three miles past Roundstone until they come across a signpost for Dog’s Bay.

“Ignore the turn off for Gurteen Bay which is about one mile before Dog’s Bay. There is parking and a primitive but adequate textile camping site here.

“Walk the length of the beach and take the short path up a small hill at the end of the bay. You will come to a gate.

“Go through the gate and walk across the headland for about 400 yards and you will come across the beach in a delightful sandy cove. Please note that the cove is not visible until you are nearly upon it,” the naturist website advises.

With regard to Silver Strand, they advise that around 300 yards to the west of the main beach, there is a small beach which is used by naturists.

“To get there walk for 15 or 20 minutes along the stones or on the rough path behind the wall nearby. Please note that this beach is covered when the tide is about two-thirds of the way in,” they say.

Cllr Eileen Mannion said that these were beaches in which children played and it was not acceptable that they should be labelled as nudist.