Fungie (Dingle Dolphin Statue), Dingle
Fungie, also known as the Dingle Dolphin, was a remarkable male common bottlenose dolphin who captured the hearts of the people of Dingle on the southwest coast of Ireland. He became separated from other wild dolphins and formed a unique and close bond with the local community. Fungie was known for his playful interactions with swimmers, surfers, kayakers, and divers who ventured into the waters where he resided.
One of the extraordinary aspects of Fungie's story was his friendly and gentle nature towards humans. Despite being a social animal, it is rare for dolphins to seek out human contact in the wild. Fungie's positive interactions with people made him the first recorded occurrence of a dolphin forming a special connection with humans in the wild in Ireland.
Fungie's presence in Dingle was truly a unique phenomenon. He delighted both locals and visitors with his playful antics and charmed all who encountered him. People marveled at his ability to interact and communicate with humans, creating lasting memories for those fortunate enough to share the waters with him.
In October 2020, concerns arose when Fungie went missing for several days after being last seen on October 13th. Marine experts speculated that he may have either moved on to explore new waters or, sadly, passed away.
To honor Fungie's legacy and the impact he had on Dingle, a bronze statue was erected at the harbor front near Dingle Pier. Renowned American sculptor and environmentalist James 'Bud' Bottoms, who was deeply passionate about ethical values and environmental advocacy, created the statue as Dingle town's Millennium project. This much-loved bronze sculpture immortalizes Fungie and serves as a lasting tribute to the incredible bond he formed with the people of Dingle. Mr. Bottoms, who resided in Santa Barbara, California, a sister city to Dingle, further solidified the connection between the two communities through his artwork.
One of the extraordinary aspects of Fungie's story was his friendly and gentle nature towards humans. Despite being a social animal, it is rare for dolphins to seek out human contact in the wild. Fungie's positive interactions with people made him the first recorded occurrence of a dolphin forming a special connection with humans in the wild in Ireland.
Fungie's presence in Dingle was truly a unique phenomenon. He delighted both locals and visitors with his playful antics and charmed all who encountered him. People marveled at his ability to interact and communicate with humans, creating lasting memories for those fortunate enough to share the waters with him.
In October 2020, concerns arose when Fungie went missing for several days after being last seen on October 13th. Marine experts speculated that he may have either moved on to explore new waters or, sadly, passed away.
To honor Fungie's legacy and the impact he had on Dingle, a bronze statue was erected at the harbor front near Dingle Pier. Renowned American sculptor and environmentalist James 'Bud' Bottoms, who was deeply passionate about ethical values and environmental advocacy, created the statue as Dingle town's Millennium project. This much-loved bronze sculpture immortalizes Fungie and serves as a lasting tribute to the incredible bond he formed with the people of Dingle. Mr. Bottoms, who resided in Santa Barbara, California, a sister city to Dingle, further solidified the connection between the two communities through his artwork.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Dingle. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "51爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
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Fungie (Dingle Dolphin Statue) on Map
Sight Name: Fungie (Dingle Dolphin Statue)
Sight Location: Dingle, Ireland (See walking tours in Dingle)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Dingle, Ireland (See walking tours in Dingle)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Dingle, Ireland
Create Your Own Walk in Dingle
Creating your own self-guided walk in Dingle is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Dingle Pub Crawl
Just as anywhere else on the 鈥淓merald Island鈥� (that's Ireland), pub culture in Dingle is an integral part of the town's social fabric and a major draw for residents and visitors. Dingle's pubs are lively meeting hubs where friends and neighbors catch up, and tourists mingle with locals, whilst sipping their drink.
Spots like An Droichead Beag Bar and O'Sullivan's... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.2 Km or 0.7 Miles
Spots like An Droichead Beag Bar and O'Sullivan's... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.2 Km or 0.7 Miles
Dingle Introduction Walking Tour
The world is full of charismatic locations patiently waiting for our wits to grow sharper. One such charming spot waiting to be discovered is the port town of Dingle, in County Kerry, on the southwest coast of Ireland.
The Dingle area was originally inhabited by a Celtic tribe called Corcu Duibne. During the medieval period, in the late 12th century, Dingle became an important trading port,... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.0 Km or 0.6 Miles
The Dingle area was originally inhabited by a Celtic tribe called Corcu Duibne. During the medieval period, in the late 12th century, Dingle became an important trading port,... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.0 Km or 0.6 Miles