The Irish Coast Guard has advised people to familiarise themselves with the different types of jellyfish in Irish coastal waters and how to deal with a sting if they get one.
The Coast Guard said it had received some reports of people getting painful stings
The advice comes as we are in the last weeks of the summer holidays, with many families heading to the beach.
There are several different species of jellyfish common in Irish waters, with the Lion's Mane known to give one of the worst stings.
Lion's Mane has been spotted on beaches around the coast this summer.
Lola O'Sullivan of Irish Water Safety said they can be 30cm in diameter, with long tentacles measuring up to three metres.
She said swimmers might not necessarily know what has stung them, but the best way to deal with it is to physically remove the tentacles wearing gloves and not to rub the area on your skin.
Keeping the affected area in the sea water also helps to ease the pain, she said.
The Coast Guard has received reports of swimmers suffering painful jellyfish stings
— Irish Coast Guard (@IrishCoastGuard) August 16, 2023
For information on the various jellyfish in our coastal waters see the Jellyfish ID card at https://t.co/tQuHLUxzqz
See the HSE advice at https://t.co/XnF7nXlt9j... https://t.co/udLLZ4Gjae
Ms O'Sullivan said that Lion's Mane is very common in Irish waters and its sting is worse than your average jellyfish.
Even when it has been washed up on the beach it can sting, she said, and people should not touch them or let their dogs near them.
The Irish Coast Guard advises people to check out the various jellyfish on the jellyfish id card on www.beaches.ie.
They can also go to the HSE website for advice on how to treat a jellyfish sting.
