According to Pádraig Whooley, Sightings Officer of the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group, there hasn't been a North Atlantic Right Whale sighting in Irish seas in over a century.

"Literally, it is probably over a century since one has been recorded in Irish waters and that would have been from a whaling station off Blacksod in Co Mayo," he stated.

Only a "remnant population" of this whale species remains, according to Mr. Whooley.

He stated that the New England Aquarium verified that "absolutely 100%, it was a North Atlantic Right Whale" after consulting with them, in an interview with RTÉ's News at One.

The animal hasn't been seen since Monday, according to Mr. Whooley, who also stated that the encounter generated "big questions".

"We are asking people, obviously, to keep your eye out on Donegal Bay if you see it," he stated.

Mr. Whooley continued, saying that people should "give it lots of space" if they come across the animal since they are going to be seeing "a species of whale that is on the verge of extinction".

It was one of the whale species that remained, according to Mr. Whooley.

According to him, "both ship strike and entanglement in fishing gear" kill "individuals from a dwindling population annually," therefore the prospect for their survival "isn't a good one."

In an attempt to gather further information, the group will now try to connect this Donegal spotted whale with one of the 350–400 right whales listed in the US database.