Deadly sea creature with life-threatening sting and 30ft tentacles spotted on beaches

Man o'war can cause painful stings if people come in contact with their tentacles and some sting reactions can be fatal, so parents have been warned to keep their children or dogs away from them

A Portuguese Man O' War (file image) (

Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto

Deadly jellyfish-like sea creatures have been spotted on Irish beaches and parents have been warned to keep children or dogs away from their deadly sting.

Portuguese men of war have washed up on beaches and have been spotted at popular tourist spots such as Lahinch in County Clare, western Ireland.

The creatures have very similar appearances to jellyfish but are a species of marine organism in the group of siphonophores, meaning they are made up of a colony of organisms working together.

Man o'war can cause painful stings if people come in contact with their tentacles and some sting reactions can be fatal, so parents have been warned to keep their children or dogs away from them.

The long, slender tentacles are the creature's second-largest organism and can extend up to 165 feet in length below the water's surface, although National Geographic reports that 30 feet is more than average.

The creature is beautiful but can be deadly (file image) (

Picture:

Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

Sightings have been reported at Fanore, Lahinch, Doughmore, Doonbeg and Kilkee beaches, according to RTÉ.

They have already been spotted, but it is much earlier in the year than usual.

Clare McGrath, Co Clare Water Safety Manager, confirmed the sightings and said a few wash up every year and are quite small creatures.

She said rescuers were told to keep an eye out and get them out safely.