Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

€2 a Month €5 a Month One-off amount
Dingle

Quiz: How much do you know about Fungie?

This quiz will give your life the sense of porpoise you’ve been craving.
10.01pm, 17 Oct 2020
61.9k
36

A NATION WAITS with bated breath for news on its pet dolphin.

Dingle’s Fungie is still missing. After some glimmers of hope on Friday, locals have confirmed that has been no sign of the Ireland’s favourite dolphin for an uncharacteristically long time.

Hopefully he is found, alive and well, because I don’t think Ireland can take much more at this stage.

While we wait for another update, distract yourself with this quiz.

What is Fungie?
Shutterstock
A shy hare
A little pony

A male common bottlenose dolphin
A female striped dolphin

An absolute con job, a scam, a swindle
And why is he called Fungie?
Shutterstock
He was first spotted up the road from Dingle in a village called Ferng - his name was originally Fergnie and it just became Fungie.
A fisherman who took an early interest in Fungie was attempting to grow a beard, and people teased him for it by calling him Fungus. It was eventually transposed to the dolphin as Fungie.

When he was first spotted he was covered with a benign fungus. Fungus became Fungie.
It's just the name his parents gave him.
When was Fungie first spotted in Dingle?
Shutterstock
1983
1991

1979
1798
His diet is unique. Why?
Duloup/Wikimedia
He has developed a method of picking up shellfish and breaking them open on rocks.
He has been spotted eating garfish, something which dolphins don't usually chow down on.

He has become highly dependent on locals feeding him, and is rarely seen hunting for his own food.
Dolphins usually order off Deliveroo but Fungie uses JustEat.
And what's unique about his behaviour?
Shutterstock
He is solitary but seeks out social contact with humans, while remaining non-aggressive.
He is the leader of his pod but never brings them close to the shore, but has been observed playing with them far out at sea.

He leaps and flips out of the water far more often than most bottlenose dolphins.
He has learned how to gamble.
Is the author of this quiz trying too hard to convince you that it's the same dolphin as was first spotted the 1980s?
Yes
But was this hard work even necessary? Did you need to be convinced? It really is the same dolphin, isn't it?
Yes, I already knew that.
Yes, you've convinced me.
What was Fungie awarded last year?
PA Images
The Freedom of Dingle
The title of 'Sir'

The Freedom of Kerry
The Guinness World Records’ title of longest recorded solitary dolphin.

The Freedom of the City of Dublin
The Medal of Honour for his bravery in Afghanistan
What impact did Storm Ophelia have on Fungie?
Strong ocean currents swept him up around the peninsula to Tralee, where he stayed for a week before making his way back to Dingle.
He was briefly beached by the storm surge.

He was injured - he appeared the next day with a couple of small cuts on his noggin.
He was swept up in the strong winds and blown right across to Lough Leane.
We have (or had, RIP) other recorded solitary dolphins in Ireland. Some of their names are below - but which one lives in Doolin? (Not pictured)
Shutterstock
Dony/Randy
Dusty

Clet
Dougal

Sandy
Venus
But seriously... is it actually the same dolphin?
Yes
No
Answer all the questions to see your result!
Shutterstock
You scored out of !
Wow, you're actually Fungie
Share your result:
Shutterstock
You scored out of !
A fintastic result.
Share your result:
Shutterstock
You scored out of !
Ah you're better than this, did you get some wrong on purpoise?
Share your result:
Shutterstock
You scored out of !
Not a great results, perhaps you're one of the garfish Fungie eats.
Share your result:
Shutterstock
You scored out of !
You're a Fungie truther
Share your result:

Making a difference

A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

For the price of one cup of coffee each week you can make sure we can keep reliable, meaningful news open to everyone regardless of their ability to pay.

Support us Learn More

Author
Nicky Ryan
nicky@thejournal.ie
@NickyRyan_
Send Tip or Correction
Read Next
More Stories
Related Tags
Your Voice
Readers Comments
36
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy here before taking part.
Leave a Comment
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.

    Leave a commentcancel