Could you ‘bare’ to socialise naked?

The International Naturist Congress will be held here in September, but Irish law on ‘offending modesty’ is so broad it isolates our few brave nudists, says Ellie O’Byrne

IT’S dusk at a small hotel in rural Munster. In the bar, 20 out-of-towners have convened. They range in age from early 20s to mid-60s. More arrive, introduce themselves, and join the group in the corner of the bar. They don’t have much in common, but in half an hour they’ll all be naked. They are here for the monthly Irish Naturist Association nude swim and sauna.

The INA was formed in 1963. The International Naturist Federation, with which the INA is affiliated, defines naturism as: “Lifestyle in harmony with nature, expressed through personal and social nudity, and characterised by self-respect of people with different opinions and of the environment.” But why do people hang around naked in groups together?