How do you feel about naturism?
As the rest of us scramble to cover up our lumps and bumps, one group of Irish people is determined to let it all hang out this summer. The Irish Naturist Association (INA) is gearing up for a season of sun, sea and stripping off. And if you're planning on hitting the seaside this Sunday, the scenery might not be the only thing to catch your eye.
The clothes-free celebration that is World Naturist Day takes place this weekend. Among those who might be expected to join in are Desperate Housewives star Eva Longoria, who claims to do housework in the nude.
And though our weather is better suited to wrapping up than baring all, the Irish group is at the heart of the global naturist scene.
"We are over 40 years in existence," INA president Pat Gallagher explained. "At the moment, we have around 1,000 members. Compared to our European counterparts, that's a drop in the ocean. In the UK, for instance, there are around 70,000 naturists - and that's only the card-carrying members.
"But we're not out on a limb at all. We're still very much involved on a European and worldwide basis."
And this Sunday, the group is hoping to raise their profile, not just eyebrows. "For World Naturist Day, we'd like people - whether they're members of our association or not - to go to beaches around the country and show that we exist.
"We've started a campaign called 'Bums on Beaches' to encourage people to go out there and let it be known that naturists are an integral part of Irish society. Our policy at the moment is to be seen."
It's a far cry from the days when a quick flash of ankle at the local dance was the closest thing to public nudity that existed in Irish society. But these days, the naked body is still shrouded in shame says Pat, who shed his inhibitions and joined the INA in 1980.
"The INA was very secretive when it first began," he said. "They didn't advertise here, only in a British magazine, and members were recruited through a vetting process. It was all very hush-hush, which defeated the whole purpose.
'Things started to change in the 1980s when people like myself set up local clubs and started to organise swims and other events. But we're still emerging from this Church- dominated society, and even now that has an impact.
'Members come from all walks of life - community workers, teachers. If people knew they went off to foreign beaches and took their clothes off, they would probably be ostracised from their local community.
"We've always used beaches away from the mainstream to avoid offending people. While it gives you more privacy and room, it keeps the organisation a little bit underground."
The INA has long been lobbying for a recognised naturist beach here, but it's not holding out any hope that the matter will be high on the agenda for the members of the 30th Dail.
"All other EU countries have designated areas for naturists," Pat fumed. "But our politicians aren't interested in getting involved. They probably think it's too risqué for them to promote these beaches."
And naturism continues to be dogged by the notion that it's a pastime for perverts. However, Pat insists that they're not a group of dirty old men and women, but a body-confident gang of lovers of the great outdoors. And he reckons that after you've felt the cool breeze on your birthday suit, you never go back.
"Basically, naturism is a sort of lifestyle," he said. "People feel that, under certain conditions, they don't need clothing, like on beaches.
"We've gotten used to this habit, introduced in Victorian times, of wearing a swimsuit, which are basically getting smaller and smaller anyway. We feel that there's no need for that bit of material, that it does nothing for you."
Part of the ethos is also that you respect nature. "We're probably one of the first environmentalist groups in the country. I'm sure there are people who think it's sexual or that we do it for kicks," Pat added.
"But that couldn't be further from the truth. It's really non-sexual. If you go to a beach in France where there are thousands of naked people walking up and down every day, eventually you just see people.
"It's done for personal freedom and it's the most liberating thing you can imagine. It's something everyone should do once in their life. Once you try it, you'll wonder why you never did it before."
A beginner's guide to baring it all
Don't go solo
If you're thinking of going au natural, get in contact with the nudity buffs first. The INA (www.irishnaturist.org) can arm you with all the dos and don'ts of disrobing in public.
"We have an information leaflet that we send out to potential members," Pat said. "We can also meet up with people who are interested to discuss it with them and reassure them. So when they turn up at an event they know someone and it's not as embarrassing."
Act local
Suss out local beaches and bays for unpeeling-potential. But because there are no official naturist beaches in this country, exercise discretion. Naturism hotspots around the country include Brittas Bay in Wicklow, Silver Strand in Galway, Curracloe in Wexford and Clonakility Bay in Cork. But if anyone asks, we didn't send you!
Sun as you strip
A sun-drenched getaway is the best way to sample naturism, according to Pat. "Anyone who's interested in trying naturism should take a holiday near a naturist beach. After a couple of days, you might feel comfortable enough to try it for yourself. It's also a great way to meet other naturists."
Members of the INA also get International Naturist Federation membership, entitling entry into naturist sites across Europe.
Respect the Textile in your life
"Textiles" - or people who prefer clothes - don't have to be shunned by the naturist community. Partners who lock horns over going starkers can live in harmony with a little mutual respect, according to Pat.
"Sometimes we get people whose wife or husband doesn't agree with it. But partners are welcome to come along and simply remain clothed."
Mind your manners
Just because you're surrounded by naked people, doesn't mean you have a license to stare. Leave anything that hints of lechery - like camera phones or video recorders - at home.
"The most important rule of naturism is that you don't offend people," says Pat. "Anybody caught taking pictures would be ejected pretty quickly."
