‘Exceptional’ 315-million-year-old fossil sponge found in Irish cliffs

The sponge was discovered by geologist Dr Eamon Doyle, left, in the rocks that make up the Cliffs of Moher in Co Clare (Handout/PA)

A new species of fossil sponge dating back hundreds of millions of years has been discovered off the west coast of Ireland.

The 315-million-year-old sponge, named Cyathophycus balori, is up to 50cm tall and is the largest known example of its kind anywhere in the world.