Why Fungie the Dingle Dolphin Calls Ireland Home
The rolling green hills, the welcoming Irish and the stunning cliffs make Ireland a destination on many travelers dream lists. Those who visit the brightly coloured town of Dingle, in County Kerry, may be surprised to find Fungie the Dingle dolphin stealing the show.
For over three decades, Fungie, the bottlenose dolphin, has called Dingle Bay home. Shortened by some to Fungi, or changed by apparent mushroom lovers to Funghi, whatever you call the resident, he is a town sensation. Given his own statue in the center of Dingle, he is a calling card for Dingle boat tours.
How did Fungie come to be the Dingle Dolphin?
In 1984, a Dingle lighthouse keeper began seeing a lone dolphin escorting local fishing boats in and out of the bay. Initially timid and inquisitive, the longer the dolphin swam to and fro with the boats, the more playful and mischievous he became.
Declared a permanent resident by the local Marine Ministry manager, Fungie took the self appointed task of ‘piloting’ boats seriously. Over 35 years later, he is drawn to boats of any kind in Dingle Bay.
Will Dingle’s famous swimmer make an appearance?
The day we arrive in Dingle I admit to being fairly skeptical of this mysterious Dingle dolphin. Heading out into the bay on a Dingle Peninsula tour, I am not one of the tourists hanging on the side of the boat. Under my breath I mutter something about it being as likely to find an Irish leprechaun as a dolphin in Dingle, Ireland.
Content with stunning views of the cliffs of the Dingle Peninsula, I barely glance when the captain of the boat announces Fungie the dolphin is near. Soon however, even naysayer I, am caught up in the joy of seeing a dolphin swimming as if accompanying the boat on its tour.
Although the guides don’t guarantee Fungie will make an appearance, locals happily boast that 99% of the time their famous resident will swim by. Whether it is the sheltered harbour or that as an orphan he found a safe and welcoming environment, it is clear Fungie is staying put in Dingle.
At over 35 years of age, Fungie shows no signs of slowing down. Bottle nose dolphins are known to live to the age of 48. I can’t help but wonder if the town of Dingle has a plan in place when Fungie decides to retire. Meanwhile Fungie is doing his best to keep tourism flourishing in wee Dingle.
The rolling green hills, the welcoming Irish and the stunning cliffs make Ireland a destination on many travelers dream lists. Those who visit the brightly coloured town of Dingle, in County Kerry, may be surprised to find Fungie the Dingle dolphin stealing the show. For over three decades, Fungie, the bottlenose dolphin, has called Dingle…
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