Dublin beachgoers warned to be vigilant following sightings of Lions Mane jellyfish

FINGAL County Council are urging people to be extra vigilant after dangerous Lions Mane jellyfish were again spotted at two north Dublin beaches.

There have been reported sightings of Lions Mane jellyfish over the past few weeks at Balbriggan and Portrane beaches and now Fingal County Council are warning there may be an increase in sightings this month across many local beaches.

A sting from a Lions Mane jellyfish has the potential to cause nausea, sweating, cramps and headaches among other symptoms. Severe stings can require urgent medical attention.

The public has been advised that if anyone is stung by one of these jellyfish, they should approach a lifeguard for assistance.

The Lion’s Mane jellyfish, also known as the giant jellyfish or the hair jelly, is one of the largest known species of jellyfish and gets its name because of its large tentacles that resemble the mane of a lion.

They are usually found in the waters of the north Atlantic Ocean but are common in the Irish Sea.

Lion’s mane jellyfish remain mostly very near the surface, at no more than 20 m depth.

Their slow pulsations weakly drive them forward, so they depend on ocean currents to travel great distances.

The jellyfish are most often spotted during the late summer and autumn, when they have grown to a large size and the currents begin to sweep them to shore.