Ireland 1971. A study entitled ‘Sex and Repression in the Irish Folk Community’ unveils the following information: “Sex is never discussed in the home and islanders are monumentally naïve and inexperienced. Boys learn some facts by talking to other boys and watching animals…girls understand that they must not look directly at a male or allow themselves to be touched. Premarital sex is unknown, courtship almost nonexistent, and marriages are arranged with little concern for the feelings of the young people involved”.

Fast-forward 33 years and the Celtic tiger and tigresses have come a long way to come a lot more. Sex is now something that is discussed at any given opportunity- we have lapdancing clubs, sex shops and bondage gear on Dublin’s O’Connell Street. Our clothes reveal more, our teenagers know more and the previously prevalent moral majority are now mainly ignored as an old-fashioned, irrelevant minority. The investigative sex survey of today announces the arrival of a very different sexual scene in Ireland.
The 2004 Global Sex Survey, compiled by Durex, confirmed what most of us already knew- Irish people are just as sexually inquisitive, experimental and eager to jump beneath the sheets as the rest of the world. Our first involvement in this examination of sexual behaviour revealed fascinating information, such as that 48% of us use handcuffs and blindfolds in bed and 32% of Irish people enjoy spanking on a regular basis.
Outperforming other nations in almost all categories, it seems that Irish folk are a kinky bunch when under the duvet. Durex UK believes that the survey “shows that Irish people are growing increasingly willing to talk about sex and their particular likes and dislikes”. This was certainly the case when the survey was discussed on Spin 103.8 FM last week. Indeed, Damien O’Meara, producer of the Jack ‘n’ Ali show, stated that callers were happy to spill sexual beans live on air. Even individuals who would have taken a seriously critical stance to this survey in the past appear imbued with a more relaxed attitude now.
David Quinn, former editor of the Irish Catholic, an individual well known for his moral outpourings commented, “what happens between consenting adults is their own business as long as there are no social implications”. While stating that there is a worry regarding unprotected sex that results in spreading disease and certainly creating pregnancies he added, “I can’t see what social implications there are to using handcuffs”. I couldn’t have said it better myself.
But as with all good things there is a price. A more serious aspect of the Durex study reveals a worrying side to the Irish sexual coming-of-age. While a changing, more open attitude in this country towards sex can only be a positive thing, with sexual freedom comes sexual responsibility, and this is where we are seriously lacking.
More than 50% of Irish people reported HIV/AIDS to be their biggest sexual worry in the survey but yet 52% of us admit to having sex with someone whose sexual history we don’t know, much higher than the global average of 35%. What does that say about our nation? We’re sexually confident enough to shop for sex toys in Ann Summers and pull out the fluffy handcuffs, but we’re too shy to suggest a condom at the opportune moment? While it is certainly true that Irish people are now more frank about sex, there is still an attitude of ignorance when it comes to the health aspect of the issue.
Ann Nolan, chief executive of the Dublin Aids Alliance stated that, “The number of people testing HIV positive is increasing on an annual basis, with sexual transmission constituting the primary mode of infection”. With HIV cases in Ireland increasing by 243% over the last five years, and chlamydia and syphilis on the rise, the health implications of our sexual revolution are worrying. Condoms are readily available, sex education has improved and yet half of the country is jumping into bed without a second thought for their health or that of their partner(s). The issue is not our sexual confidence, but our sexual maturity.
In tandem with social trends in other areas such as entertainment, travel and careers, the Irish are becoming more experimental in their sex lives. But being creative shouldn’t involve being careless. Overthrowing sexual repression doesn’t just mean buying a vibrator on your lunch break- we’ve achieved the Sex and the City attitude but not the contraceptive cop-on to go with it. Freedom and confidence to indulge our sexual desires and particular needs is an important part of everyone’s life; sexual awareness is knowing what you want and don’t want from a sexual encounter.
In the 2005 survey, let’s hope that we can be sexually up-for-it but with a more responsible outlook for our wellbeing. Slight chafing from those worn-out handcuffs might be a little annoying, but it’s a damn sight better than a nasty reminder of someone’s sloppy sexual health.

For full results of the 2004 Durex Global Sex Survey check out www.durex.com