A rare whale has been spotted off the coast of Co Donegal near Sliabh Liag.
Sightings Officer with the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group Pádraig Whooley said it has been over a century since a North Atlantic Right Whale has been recorded in Irish waters.
"Literally, it is probably over a century since one has been recorded in Irish waters and that would have been from a whaling station off Blacksod in Co Mayo," he said.
Mr Whooley said there is only a "remnant population" of this whale species left.
Speaking on RTÉ's News at One, he said the New England Aquarium confirmed that "absolutely 100%, it was a North Atlantic Right Whale" following consultations.
Mr Whooley said the sighting raised "big questions" but added the animal has not been observed since it was spotted on Monday.
"We are asking people, obviously, keep your eye out on Donegal Bay if you see it," he said.
Mr Whooley added that if individuals encounter the animal, they should "give it lots of space" due the fact they will be observing "a species of whale that is on the verge of extinction".
Mr Whooley said it was one of the last remaining species of this whale.
He said that the outlook for their survival "isn't a good one" due to "both ship strike and entanglement in fishing gear", which remove "individuals from a dwindling population annually".
The organisation will now try and match this, Donegal spotted, whale with one of the 350 - 400 right whales in the US catalogue to gain more information.
