Independent
by Kirsty Blake Knox
From the beginning, it was apparent this was a court case like no other.
The jury was informed on the first day that “acts of stabbing” were an “essential part” of Graham Dwyer and Elaine O’Hara’s sexual relationship.
For many, “knife play” and “blood play” were foreign terms.
It seemed surprising such an extreme sexual sub-culture could exist in Ireland.
Bondage and sadomasochism are not common terms in the eminently respectable suburbs of Blackrock and Foxrock.
But as details of the trial emerged, it became apparent a thriving Irish BDSM (Bondage, Dominance and Submission, and Sadomasochism) community existed.
The BDSM sex dating site O’Hara and Dwyer met on, alt.com, claims that more than 28,000 Irish swingers, singles and couples avail of its services. Fet life – a sort of Facebook for ‘kinksters’ – has a 10,000-strong following in Ireland.
There are also regular BDSM master classes run around the country, suspension stage shows in Temple Bar, erotic arts festivals in County Down, fetish nights in Cork.
Despite the details that have emerged during the court case, a degree of mystery continues to surround the BDSM world.
This is partially due to the term BDSM itself – a clumsy umbrella phrase that encompasses a huge range of sexual preferences and persuasions.
It refers to anything from wearing a pair of novelty handcuffs to being hoisted into the air on hooks, or stabbed with retractable blades.
“There is huge variety within BDSM,” Beth Wallace, founder of Sex Festival Bliss Ireland, explained. …
Simple and brilliant. I will be using this in all of my Human Sexuality classes.