Attempts are continuing off the Mayo Coast to rescue a man who's been stranded in a sea-cave for over 20 hours.

The multi-agency rescue operation began yesterday evening when the man got cut off by the tide at Downpatrick Head.

A second person - a woman - was brought to safety by kayakers yesterday - but, since then, heavy sea swells have blocked the entrance to the cave.

Agatha Hurst, the Lifeboat Press Officer with Ballyglas Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), told Midwest Radio that the casualty is "doing ok".

Ongoing communication

Gardaí, the Irish Coast Guard, the Civil Defence forces and the local fire brigade are also at the scene.

Garda Superintendent Gabriel Moran says they've been communicating with flashlights throughout and the operation is ongoing.

"We have been in ongoing contact with the casualty to confirm that he's still responsive", he said.

"We've been engaging with him throughout on a regular basis with the assistance of the lifeboat from Ballycastle, who have been on point since yesterday."

Tides

Author and climbing guide Iain Miller is an expert at navigating the sea-stacks along the Mayo and Donegal coasts.

He says the cave system at Downpatrick Head is easy enough to access - but can be very tricky if you miss the tide.

"Any bounce coming in there, especially in the last few days, has been northwest, northerly motion."

"Any northwest motion coming in there is amplified by the fact that the waves come into this amphitheater around the stack", he explained.

"Spectacular, but not a great place to be if you're down in the caves taking photographs."

Main image shows Bundoran RNLI Crew at Tullan Strand. Picture by: RNLI