Beachgoers in North Clare are being warned to be on the lookout for a dangerous jellyfish.
A red flag is flying at Fanore Beach, due to the presence of Lion’s Main in the water.
Also know as the “hair jelly”, the redish-orange sea creature is one of the largest known species of jellyfish and is usually confined to cold arctic waters.
Fanore beach remains open, but those visiting the area are being warned to exercise caution, as the Lion’s Mane jellyfish has a severe sting, which can can cause nausea, sweating, cramps, headaches and other symptoms and severe stings should seek urgent medical attention.
It’s the fourth day this week that Council employed lifeguards have erected the Red Flag at the north Clare beach and the Red Flag was flying on parts of Monday, Tuesday and Thursday this week at the beach due to the presence of the Lion’s Mane jellyfish.
The Lion’s Mane jellyfish is one of the largest jellyfish species in existence and measuring up to three metres, their tentacles are full of stinging cells used to capture fish and other prey.
According to the Wildlife Trusts’ website “it’s easy to see where the lion’s mane jellyfish gets its name from: the long flowing tentacles that surround the bell have all the beauty and bite of a lion”.
A spokesperson for Clare County Council says Council lifeguards will only erect the Red Flag if they spot multiple Lion’s Mane jellyfish in the waters and on the beach.
Between five and 15 Lion’s Mane jellyfish have been washed up on Fanore beach on any of the days this week that lifeguards have erected the Red Flag.
The spokesperson also stressed that the people can still use the beach, but are advised not to enter the waters.
“The area is checked daily by lifeguards when they start duty. The beach is open – the red flag is to advise the public of the possible danger.”
North Clare Fine Gael Councillor Joe Garrihy says it’s “disappointing’ for beach goers to have the red flag erected.
He’s added however that “It is a serious issue. The last thing in the world you want is someone stung by a jellyfish and they can give you a very, very bad sting and you don’t know how people with allergies might react so we have to be guided by the health and safety in those circumstances.
“The very first priority for lifeguards is people’s safety and it is good to see the lifeguards being vigilant and having the knowledge there to protect the general public”, he concluded.
Jellyfish expert, Dr Tom Doyle says “We have no evidence of Lion’s Mane becoming more abundant in Irish waters, as we have no time series for them.
“Anecdotally, there have been more reports of them in Galway and Clare over the past few years, but not huge numbers.”
The UCC based Lecturer in Zoology at the college’s School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences says “Lion’s mane are more abundant in the Irish sea, within Dublin Bay and north along Meath and Louth coastlines.”
