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.