One of Ireland's 'unoffical' nudist beaches, according to a recent American naturist guide to the Top 1,000 Places to Get Naked . . .

head south along the strand if you feel like relaxing in the nip with other like-minded individuals.

2Fanore Co Clare Fanore is a sheltered blue-flag beach with spectacular views of the Aran Islands and the Burren. An hour from Galway City, it's a perfect spot to escape to on a sunny day. Look out for dolphins in the bay and try your hand (among other parts of you) at body surfing in the waves.

Aloha Surf School offers lessons in the bay for 30 per person.

3Cill Muirbhthe Inishmore, Aran Islands, Co Galway A beautiful beach on the north side of Inishmore, Cill Muirbhthe is a perfect place for a swim in the ocean after a summer's day spent exploring the island.

The inlet is sheltered and calm, and the beach has been awarded a Blue Flag this year. Walk or cycle from the other side of the island with a picnic and look out at the wildness of the Atlantic . . .

there's nothing but sea between here and America.

4Ballybunion Beach Co Kerry Home to the famous Ballybunion golf course, this part of north Kerry is picturesque and beautiful, and the clean beach beside the golf course is often overlooked. Watch out for sea otters, seals and dolphins playing in waters warmed by the Gulf Stream. Ballybunion is another popular site for surfers and walkers, and on the cliffs to the north stand the ruins of a 14th century castle.

5Keem Bay Achill Island, Co Mayo Cliffs to the east and west enclose this secluded horseshoe bay, and ahead the spectacular Achill Head stretches a mile into the sea. A cliff-top road will take you down to the beach. Look out for amethyst stone, said to ward off drunkeness and burglars, as the excavation of the road exposed a seam of the rock in the cliff side.

There's also a scenic 1.5 km walk along the top of the cliffs that starts from the old coastguard station overlooking the beach.

6Counsellors Strand Dunmore East, Co Waterford On a fine day, you can enjoy snorkelling and swimming in any of the half dozen sheltered coves scattered around Waterford's picturesque Dunmore East . . . but the best of these is Counsellors Strand. This beach is surrounded by red sandstone cliffs and faces south, making it a perfect suntrap and great for kids learning to swim.

7Rosslare Co Wexford Five miles of sandy beach stretch along the sunny Wexford coast at Rosslare, one of Ireland's original holiday resorts. Don't be fooled . . . this beach has a lot more to offer than sun, sea and sand.

Hire body boards or learn how to sail with Rosslare Watersports Centre, explore the ruins of the 400-year-old fort, go horse riding along the beach or look for grey seals along the coastline.

8Brittas Bay Co Wicklow Situated just over an hour from Dublin, Brittas Bay is great for swimming, sailing or just plain sun bathing. With a number of Coillte trails around it, the area is popular with walkers, too . . . head to the top of Ballymoyle Hill for some breathtaking views of the coastline. On a clear day, you can even see as far as Wales. And that mighn't be all you can see . . . Brittas Bay is another 'unoffical' nudist beach.

9Stroove Beach Inishowen Peninsula, Co Donegal This small blue-flag beach is located on the east coast of Irishtown at the very top of Ireland. Walk up to the 200-year-old lighthouse for a view over the bay, or go for a swim in the clear waters . . . the beach is fully lifeguarded during the summer months, making it a very safe place to teach kids to swim.

10 Killiney Beach Co Dublin As one of the capital's few blue-flag beaches, Killiney has maintained a high standard of cleanliness and safety over the past few years. The beach itself is a little too stony for sun-bathers, but the water is sheltered and perfect for swimming in July and August. The view of Bray Head from Vico Baths in the bay is breathtaking, and on a very clear day you can even see the Mourne mountains to the north.