First Come, First Served?

The following is an opinion piece I sent into the naturist magazine, Health and Efficiency. It appeared in the May 2026 edition of that publication under the editor’s title ‘First Come, First Served?’

A while back, a naturist friend of mine was visiting County Clare, and I took her to explore some lakes as potential naturist spots

At Lough Cullaunyheeda, we found a small sandy beach beneath the ruins of an old house: secluded, but not entirely. A few textiles were there when we arrived, and although they left, I still hesitated. The possibility of others returning made me uneasy. I’m not as brave as I’d like to be in that regard.

My friend saw it differently. When I explained my concern, she replied: “Why shouldn’t we be naked? We were here first – that gives us the right.”

We ended up moving elsewhere for a swim, but her comment stayed with me. Is it really that simple? If you arrive first at a non-naturist spot, does that give you legitimacy to be nude when others appear? From a naturist perspective, there’s a certain logic to it—though I doubt many textiles would agree.

In essence, this is about what we consider “normal” in shared spaces. For most people, clothing is seen as normal, while nudity requires justification. For naturists, the opposite can feel true. But in the real world, neither the law nor social norms tend to favour a “first come, first served” approach.

There’s also the question of others’ comfort. Public spaces, even the hard to reach ones, are shared, and what feels like freedom to one person may feel intrusive to another. Does arriving first really settle that?

And yet, without a degree of quiet defiance, naturism would never have gained ground. The early naturist pioneers claimed space rather than waiting for permission, gradually shifting what was acceptable. And that action has created a naturist tradition is some places that lasts to this day.

I’m still unsure where I stand. I admire my friend’s determination, but I’m cautious by nature. Perhaps that tension reflects where naturism itself sits today—between hesitation and assertion.

Maybe the real question isn’t who was there first, but whether we’re willing to be seen at all.

Perhaps there is strength in numbers. Ní neart go cuir le céile.