Lion's Mane jellyfish spotted in Swilly surf
The animal was spotted by a reader paddling along Rathmullan strand last Friday.
The Lion's Mane (cyanea capillata) can deliver a quite nasty sting. It was witnessed bobbing in the gentle Fanad surf among a number of Compass (chrysaora hysoscella) jellyfish which are far more common.
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Hide AdAccording to the Health Service Executive (HSE) the Lion's Mane is the 'most serious jellyfish in Irish waters' and its 'stinging cells are much sharper and can pierce skin easily resulting in a painful sting.'
Last month a huge Lion's Mane was encountered across the Swilly at Stragill.
A sting from the jellyfish can cause nausea, sweating, cramps, headaches and other symptoms. On rare occasions people who have been stung may require hospital treatment.
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