Can anyone identify this insect ?

Question

is it some sort of wasp?
view the pic at
http://www.zshare.net/image/3338161af637c9/

this is taken in ireland ,and is rare to see this type in ireland whatever it is

Answer 1

That is a Horntail (aka wood wasp) The long tail part that you see is not a stinger but an ovipositor used to lay eggs inside trees.

http://ipmofalaska.homestead.com/files/horntail.jpg

"Horntail or Wood Wasp - Urocerus gigas
Description. Female 40-60 mm long, body colour black and yellow. Male slightly smaller and lacking the ovipositor or 'tail' of the female, and also the black band on the abdomen.

Biology. Mainly in and around coniferous woodland. The female uses her stout ovipositor to drill into pines and other conifers (usually selecting unhealthy trees) in order to lay her eggs. The legless larvae or grubs spend their time tunnelling and feeding in the timber. Larval development may take several years and larvae can survive even after trees have been felled and cut to make floorboards and rafters. Adults emerging from cut timber sometimes cause great alarm when they appear in or around new houses and other buildings. The 'tail' of the female is often mistaken for a sting, but the insects cannot sting and are quite harmless."

Answer 2

It looks like a wasp or hornet of some sort

Answer 3

Looks like a "yellowjacket" to me.

Answer 4

look like African carpenter bee.