Dingle village has a harbour that is almost landlocked.
Dingle Peninsula
Dingle Wildlife and Seal Sanctuary
Attractions in Ireland
The harbour has been home to Fungie the dolphin since he appeared there in 1984. Fungie, a bottlenose dolphin, swam into Dingle harbour and decided to make it his home.
He is a lone wild dolphin, and began swimming close to the fishing boats as they went into and out of Dingle harbour.
He is often found swimming in the Dingle harbour. There are organised boat tours of the harbour to try to spot Fungie and he often obliges by swimming close to the boats.
It is thought that Fungie was born in the mid-1970s and so is very old now. He weighs around one-quarter tonne (500 lbs.) and measures in around four metres (13 feet).
Dolphins are usually social, open animals that live in groups, and it quite rare for them to live alone, and this is the first time it has happened in Ireland.
However, Fungie has been seen playing with other dolphins and whales, so he is not exiled from the other dolphins, but seems to prefer the environment of Dingle harbour.
He is mainly seen in the summer months in and around the harbour. In winter, Fungie needs to swim further out to get the food he needs.
Fungie has never been fed by the locals or actively encouraged to stay. He is a playful intelligent dolphin who enjoys the attention of tourists. He likes to remain independent and rarely accepts food from tourists as he prefers to catch his own fish.
You can take a boat trip from the pier in Dingle harbour to get a closer look at Fungie. There is even a money back guarantee if he does not show up.
On 2 January 2000, a bronze life size statue of Fungie is unveiled in a millennium ceremony.
Dingle Peninsula
Dingle Wildlife and Seal Sanctuary
Fungie the dolphin
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