Limerick has been visited by a bottlenose dolphin which has appeared in a part of the Shannon River that flows near the centre of the city.
The lone dolphin - believed to be part of the Shannon Estuary school - surprised onlookers as it hunted for fish near Howley's Quay close to Peter Clohessy's pub.
One local businessman - who has offices nearby - said: "I am used to seeing swans and seagulls flying by, but I couldn't believe my eyes when I looked out and saw a dolphin in the water."
According to Geoff Magee of Dolphinwatch, Carrigaholt, Co Clare, it is not unusual to find bottlenose dolphins feeding so far upstream during high tide.
"Dolphins are very opportunistic feeders and great at catching fish. It's not unusual for one to leave its group and head off on its own. If the tide was high there would be plenty of salt water and it could have been chasing late salmon," he added.
"Dolphins are also very sociable animals and though they are often spotted in groups, it's not unusual for one to break away from the main group. There are a number of lone dolphins along the west coast." The Shannon Estuary is home to over 100 bottlenose dolphins.