Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
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Fungie
In 1983, a dolphin moved into Dingle Harbor and became a local celebrity. Fungie
(FOON-ghee, with a hard
g
) is now the darling of the town's tourist trade and one reason
you'll find so many tour buses parked along the harbor. A recent study theorizes that he
may be one of a half-dozen dolphins that were released from “Dolphinariums” (under
pressure from animal rights activists) on the southern coast of Britain. This would account
for Fungie's loner ways and ease with being around humans.
Hardy little tour boats thrive by baiting passengers with the chance of an up-close
Fungie encounter, then motoring out to the mouth of the harbor, where they troll around
looking for him. You're virtually assured of seeing the dolphin, but you don't pay unless
you do (€16, kids-€8, one-hour trips depart 11:00-17:00 depending on demand, behind TI
at Dolphin Trips office, tel. 066/915-2626).
To actually swim with Fungie, rent wetsuits at Brosnan's B&B (Cooleen Street, tel.
066/915-1146or087-273-4970)andcatch theearly-morning 8:00-10:00trip(€45includes
boat trip and wetsuit—unless you've packed your own—minimum 6 people or they won't
go). As Fungie is getting on in years, locals admit that he doesn't come up as often as he
used to. But regardless, Fungie is a fun guy.
