Authorities in Co Kerry are investigating how to dispose of a 19-metre long whale that has washed up on a beach near Baile an Sceilg.
The fin whale, which is the second largest mammal on the planet, washed ashore at the weekend and is already decomposing.
Kerry County Council said the carcass poses a serious risk to health and is asking people to stay away.
On Saturday, holidaymaker Frances O'Hare spotted the whale among the waves on Baile Uí Chuill beach.
Ms O'Hare said she went to investigate and knew it was dead.
"I didn't really want to see a dead whale," she said.
She reported the finding to the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group (IWDG).
Ms O'Hare said there was a public safety issue with a danger that gasses which build up in dead whales will cause the animal to explode.
Among the options being explored by the council was burial, said County Veterinary Officer Paddy Fenton.
Other options include towing it out to sea but those involved in the operation said it would be challenging given the size of the mammal.
The whale measures just over 19 metres in length, according to Stephanie Levesque, strandings officer with the IWDG.
Ms Levesque visited the scene to record the finding as part of a strandings survey that is being carried out by the IWDG and supported by the National Parks and Wildlife Service.
Samples of blubber, baleen and other material will be used to help determine the cause of death.
It will not be possible to do a full post mortem, she said, because of the expense and the need to bring heavy machinery and equipment to the scene.
The male whale is suspected of having died at sea around a week ago of natural causes, she added.
The IWDG has 30 years of records of strandings. Natural mortality of one or two whales a year can be expected, Ms Levesque said.
Local county councillor Norma Moriarty said locals were keen to find out what caused the whale to die and wash up on their shore.
"It will be a fair job of work to dispose of it," she said.
