A LARGE FIN whale has washed up on the Mizen Peninsula in west Cork, with the public being urged to keep their distance.

The carcass, which was reported to the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group (IWDG) on Monday, is around 17 metres long but in an advanced state of decomposition.

The sea creature washed ashore in the Barleycove area.

Large sections of the head are missing and bite marks are visible on the tail, likely from sharks scavenging at sea before it drifted ashore.

Bite marks are visible on the whale's body. Jan Wolstenholme / IWDG Jan Wolstenholme / IWDG / IWDG

Two IWDG volunteers, Jasmine Stavenow and Jan Wolstenholme, visited the scene to take measurements, photographs, and skin samples.

The IWDG has confirmed that these will be sent to the National Museum of Ireland, which manages the Irish Cetacean (marine mammal) Genetic Tissue Bank.

Fin whales are the second-largest animals on Earth, growing up to 25 metres and weighing as much as 48 tonnes.

The IWDG says one or two wash up around Ireland each year, with this being the second in 2025.

Cork County Council is responsible for disposal of the carcass.

"We're unsure which action will be taken by the local county council at this time, though we normally advise burying animals above the high tide mark where possible," IWDG spokesperson Stephanie Levesque said.

"For health and safety reasons, we advise people to keep their distance," Levesque added, stating that anyone who comes across a stranded whale, dolphin or porpoise should report it immediately.

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