Bathers along the East Coast are being warned to stay away from popular beaches this weekend after an influx of the dreaded 'Lions Mane Jellyfish'.

Red flags have been raised at Dublin's Sandycove and the popular 'Forty Foot' bathing spot amid warnings that the painful stings can cause severe reactions.

Irish Water Safety CEO John Leach is advising people to avoid swimming off beaches where there are no lifeguards:

Bathers are also being warned that dangerous jellyfish are being swept onto beaches in the south-west this weekend.

Portuguese Man o' War are drifting up the Atlantic and the Cork and Kerry Coasts are most at risk.

John Leach from Irish Water Safety has more: