Fungie The Dolphin has been remembered across the country on the one year anniversary of his disappearance.
The bottlenose dolphin lived in Dingle Bay in Co. Kerry for over 37 years, entertaining locals and tourists for decades.
But in October last year, Fungie mysteriously disappeared, leaving many heartbroken.
On Sunday, a series of events were held in west Kerry to remember the famous dolphin.
Free boats ran throughout the day, bringing passengers out onto the water to visit where Fungie used to reside.
A mural was also unveiled of the treasured dolphin on the lighthouse and children presented artwork of Fungie.
Stories of the dolphin were told and live music was played on the pier in his memory.
A year since he vanished…a mural celebrates Fungie the Dingle dolphin & the 37 years he spent gifting people joy at the mouth of the harbour. Paddy Ferriter the lighthouse keeper was first to spot the dolphin in 1983. Today the local community pays tribute to their lost friend. pic.twitter.com/CNzHS17ltn
— Seán Mac an tSÃthigh (@Buailtin) October 17, 2021
Dingle boatman Jimmy Flannery, who was one of the organisers of the event spoke to RTÉ about Fungie’s lasting legacy.
He said: “Fungie has given this town so much. Obviously, there’s the economic side of it, all the jobs he created, the way he put Dingle on the map. But there’s a very deep and genuine connection between the local community here and the dolphin.”
“Fungie brought us so much happiness over so many years and we just wanted to say thank you in a small way, to remember him,” he added.
