Marking his 30th anniversary in Dingle harbour Fungie, the wild but friendly Atlantic Bottlenosed dolphin received the final accolade from the Church, Sunday, April 28, 2013 when he was blessed by local parish priest Monsignor Pádraig Ó Fiannachta. Perhaps aware of the solemnity of the occasion and the encircled boats drawn in from around Dingle peninsula to transport the crowds, boat and media crews, Fungie chose not to jump but approached the vessels curiously. Monsignor Ó Fiannachta thanked the wild dolphin for his friendship to Dingle and for his 30-year contribution to the local economy and tourism. God had given these creatures special intelligence, he told the assembled boats through radio speakers and, airing, the townfolk's preoccupation about life after Fungie, the Monsignor said it was maybe not too late for him to have a partner and settle down and have a family. Having young Fungies would be a blessing for Dingle itself.
Monsignor Ó Fiannachta also blessed the boats.