Killer whale washes up on beach

The killer whale carcass found near Roundstone, Co Galway. Photo: Ronan Davis

Ralph Riegel

A man has told of his shock after he found the carcass of a killer whale on a beach in Co Galway.

Roundstone man Ronan Davis was close to his home when he spotted the remains on Dolan beach. Although it's not rare for locals to come across washed-up aquatic life, Mr Davis (32) has never come across one this big.

"Things wash in all the time. Last one I remember was a pilot whale. Dolphins end up on the shore a good bit. I've figured this one must be around 25-feet long," Mr Davis said.

He took some pictures of his unusual find and sent them to the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group (IWDG).

IWDG strandings officer Mick O'Connell said: "It was a male killer whale. They're neither common nor very rare, but they're out there. You wouldn't see them very often."