Small Group Tours Ireland | Fungie the Famous Irish Dolphin
The most famous dolphin in the world is Fungie has not been seen around his home of the Dingle coast in some time. Lockdown in Ireland meant that boat tours to visit Fungie came to a standstill, the bottle nosed dolphin loves company and would always greet any guests that would travel to see him. He is the most photographed wild dolphin in the world! The hope is that he will return again once life resumes in Ireland and tourists visit the Emerald Isle once again. We certainly have so many fond memories of Fungie and will look forward to his safe return on the Kerry coast. Here is more about Fungie and his home in the Dingle Penisula, one of the most popular places to vacation in Ireland.
Fungie | family vacations Ireland
Fungie the Dolphin is an example of when you go to Dingle you just don’t want to leave and so, he stayed… Fungie arrived in 1983 and was happy to become a resident of Dingle and be adored by the thousands of fans. Many come from afar and take a trip to Ireland to visit Dingle every year just to take his photo. The daily boat trips to see Fungie only have to travel a few minutes to see this intelligent dolphin. He is very friendly and loves to show off when he sees the cameras! It is highly unusual for a wild dolphin to have stayed in this area for so many years as they prefer the company of other dolphins, but many years ago Fungie decided that the Irish were his kind of people. As of all our guests, he is officially one of us!
Dolphin at sea | Private Driver Tours of Ireland
The Dingle dolphin was given his name by local fishermen, they were surprised that he stayed even after a big storm, Fungie remained in Irish waters. The town showed their love for Fungie by erected a statue in his honour, this must give him the status of the most famous dolphin in the world. In 2019, the Guinness Book of World Records named Fungie the oldest solitary dolphin in the world. Many natives of Dingle don’t consider Fungie a dolphin, he is part of the family and the heart and soul of the Kerry town.
Dingle Peninsula road at cliffs edge | Private Tours Ireland
Why did Fungie choose Dingle? The Dingle Peninsula is the most incredible and spectacular coastal region in Ireland and also in the world. It’s surrounded by scenic beauty with immaculate sandy beaches and magnificent mountains. The Peninsula is as far west as you can go in Ireland and is positioned at the edge of the great Atlantic Ocean. It is often jokingly pointed out that the village of Dún Chaoin is “the next parish to America” because the truth in it is that America is it’s nearest neighbour west of it. The Western end of the Dingle Peninsula is predominantly Irish-Speaking and it is highly recommended part of Ireland to take a unique Irish Private tour.
Conor’s Pass | Private Driver Customized Tours Ireland
When travelling through the Peninsula of Dingle you’ll cross-over the Conor Pass, the highest mountain pass in Ireland. It rises to 456 meters high and connects Dingle with Brandon Bay and Castlegregory. The breath-taking views there makes the thrilling journey on the winding, twisting roads worth it! Travel at ease with an experienced Irish private chauffeur who has travelled on this pass many times and this will allow the whole group to have the camera ready for a very unique tour of Ireland.
Slea Head | Driver Guided Tours Ireland
The Slea Head drive is a fantastic loop that will bring you to the must-see historical sites, villages and scenic views that this extraordinary Peninsula has to to offer. The Dingle Peninsula also boasts the second highest mountain in Ireland, Mt. Brandon, a very popular hiking trail and worth visiting the little town on your vacation in Ireland. Along the Slea Head Drive you’ll come across Beehive huts (or Clochán), this takes you back to prehistoric Ireland and were thought to be once lived in, fitting entire families in these humble dwellings. They are made of dry stone and the precise date they were erected is difficult for historians to estimate as the same stone corbelling effect was used in Newgrange. At one point there were 400 of these little homes.
Boats in Dingle harbour | Deluxe Ireland Escorted Tours
And finally the town of Dingle itself, one of the most captivating towns in Ireland, Daingean in Irish, which means fortress. It is a vibrant, bustling fishing village and although geographically it’s small it will hold a massive place in your heart. Typically, during the Summer months the streets are filled and the energy of this town can only be experienced in person. Dingle Harbour lies in the heart of the town, it is a very busy fishery harbour and shelters all fleets. On a calm evening the harbour is lovely for a stroll, to stand, breath in fresh Irish and to look out at the choppy Irish waters. It’s an excellent base for tourists to get to all the nearby excursions, like the Blasket Islands. It is also where all the boats gather to bring guests to see Fungie. They are ready and waiting, hoping for a day soon that our visitors and beloved Irish dolphin return.
We can help you plan any part of your luxury vacation in Ireland and if you have any questions please do contact us and we’d be happy to help. If you are interested in an Irish Vacation Package and would like more information, please click on the Enquire button below. All the best, Mike Ryan
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