A deep sea research mission has uncovered rare coral off the West coast, previously undocumented in Irish waters.
Marine scientists located a type of black coral that is different to any other found to date and which may prove to be an entirely new species.
The deep sea exhibition used the Marine Institute's remotely-operated vehicle Holland 1 onboard the Irish Lights vessel Granuaile.
The marine scientists say their latest voyage has confirmed deep waters off the west coast are a haven for such marine life.
The researchers also found a potential sponge reef on the Rockhall Bank, and says such formations are very rare and have previously only been recorded in Candian waters.
The team have now returned to Galway after spending three weeks at sea.
David O'Sullivan of the Marine Institute says they're very pleased to discover what appears to be new coral species and a very rare sponge reef, neither of which have previously been documented in Irish waters.
