Just 40% of Irish coasts and harbours 'clean by European standards', study finds Cigarettes, alcohol cans and disposable masks were some of the most common items dumped on our coastlines. By Garreth MacNamee Thursday 29 Jul 2021, 7:39 AM 15 hours ago 10,504 Views 45 Comments Image: Environmental Education Unit An Taisce Image: Environmental Education Unit An Taisce A NATIONWIDE STUDY carried out by Irish Business Against Litter (IBAL) has found that the majority of beaches and harbours across Ireland are falling short of receiving ‘clean’ status. While 40% of 32 coastal areas surveyed were deemed ‘clean to European norms’, there was a rise in areas branded ‘littered’. Cork Harbour at Blackrock Castle and White Bay in Cork, both ‘heavily littered’, were the worst areas surveyed.