Warning for bathers as Lion's Mane Jellyfish wash up on Meath beaches

Meath Co Council has urged bathers using Meath's beaches to be on the lookout for Lions Mane Jellyfish that may be washing up on the Bettystown, Laytown and Mornington coastline.

The Lion's Mane Jellyfish is believed to be one of the world's largest species of jellyfish and by far the greatest threat of all jellyfish in Irish waters. In the event of contact, it is advised to seek immediate medical attention. In most healthy individuals, the sting should not be fatal but has been known to cause cardiac arrest. The initial sensation is more strange than painful, it feels like swimming in to a bit warmer and somewhat effervescent water.

Its range is confined to cold, boreal waters of the Arctic, northern Atlantic, and northern Pacific Oceans. It is common in the English Channel, Irish Sea, North Sea,

This year there is a particular abundance of these potentially lethal Lion's Mane Jellyfish off the west coast of Ireland. Sighted at the end of June 2018, this beast of a jellyfish was spotted in water as shallow as 2m at Malin Beg Pier. 

According to researchers in NUI Galway, the best first aid treatment for a lion’s mane sting is to rinse with vinegar (or the commercial product Sting No More® spray) to remove tentacles, and then immerse the affected area in 45°C (113°F) hot water, (or apply a heat pack) for 40 minutes.