Balls of black tar have been found washed up on Keel Beach on Achill Island. The black sticky balls of tar washed up Wednesday afternoon at high tide and were discovered by local beach walkers.
The balls were soft, black, shiny and very sticky to touch. They varied in size from about two to nine inches and were found along the beach and tangled in seaweed.
The balls are of crude oil most likely from oil pollution at sea that sometimes breaks up into balls. These resurface after several years and are relatively harmless.
Regardless dog walkers and people with young children should probably stay clear if they spot them.
