Leitrim may not have any traffic lights but they can claim something else that no other county in Ireland can – they are host to the 34th International Naturist Congress that comes to Ireland this weekend.
Over 20 countries are expected to be in attendance over the 4-day nudist gathering.
The small woodland town of Drumshanbo, Co Leitrim seems an unlikely spot for nudists so we decided to give you a rundown of six things you should know about the event taking place over the next few days.
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- It’s the first gathering of its kind in Ireland, the congress aims to promote "touristic naturism" - despite the fact that public nudity remains illegal in Ireland and there are no officially designated nudist areas.
- It’s ‘clothing-optional’ in the conference room but some delegates may get up to speak in the nude. Naturally.
- Attendees are permitted to wear no clothes around the grounds of the hotel but once they go beyond the sleepy hamlet, they’ll have to cover up.
- There’s a gala dinner tomorrow night which has a ‘smart casual’ dress code.
- Fáilte Ireland reckons the nudists from Australia, New Zealand, Brazil, Canada, the USA, Continental Europe and the UK, will spend a more than €150,000 in the town and its environs.
- Drumshanbo’s local postmaster will not be taking part in the event but he told The Sunday World newspaper: “Sure, I’ll go down for a look myself – there’s a viewing point where I have a gander at them!”