Fungie -- An Daingean Deilf
by Brian Witt
A recent trip to County Kerry required a stop in the town of Dingle,
on the Dingle peninsula. We stayed at the Dingle Skellig Hotel, overlooking
the bay. Walking to dinner the first night, I noticed one of the rooms was
named “Fungi”, and its door was decorated with a dolphin. I was wondering
why the room was named after mushrooms, with an aquatic theme.
Picking up the hotel postcard unraveled the mystery. On it was a picture
of a dolphin jumping above the waters of Dingle Bay. The inscription on the
back said “Dingle’s very own Fungi the Dolphin in front of the Dingle Skellig
Hotel.” I had known of the cetacean in the waters in Kerry, but I didn’t
realize he had a name. Or, upon more investigation, how popular this fellow
was.
According to a local web site, http://www.dingle-peninsula.ie, the
history of this mammal started way back in 1984. Paddy Ferriter, the Dingle
Harbour lighthouse keeper, first began watching a lone wild dolphin escort
the town’s fishing boats to and from port. By August of that year, local
Ministry of Marine manager Kevin Flannery was able to officially record the
dolphin as a “permanent” resident of the entrance channel and self-appointed
“pilot” of the fleet.
Nine months of intensive aquatic contact later, the dolphin had decided
to develop from a timid but inquisitive observer of the human visitors into
a playful, though mischievous, companion. It also soon became apparent that
having become accustomed to them, all humans, particularly females, would
be welcome.
The working vessels that regularly cross the dolphin’s chosen territory,
however, remain his main priority, and it is a rare and special privilege
when he remains with a vessel during their seaward or homeward passages.
On occasion he has been seen to clear the water to the height of a vessel’s
bridge, but usually he seems to “roll” ahead in the bow wave, appearing so
quickly as to give the impression that there must be more than one.
The Dingle Dolphin – or Fungie (also spelled Fungi), the name given
to him by the fishermen – is a fully-grown, possibly middle aged, male bottlenose,
Tursiops Truncatus. He weighs in at around one-quarter ton and measures in
the region of 13 feet. Although it is by no means unique to find these usually
social, open creatures living alone in a “restricted” zone and befriending
humans, it is still a relatively rare world event, and Fungie is Ireland’s
first recorded occurrence. From observation of body scarring it seems he
does still frequently encounter other whales, dolphins or porpoises, proving
perhaps he is neither true hermit nor outcast from his own kind, but rather
that he is simply content with his current circumstances.
Dolphins’ maintaining some sort of residence in Irish waters is not
that rare. Dony is a bottlenose who has been seen across the Atlantic, from
Dingle to Brittany. Dusty is a County Clare based dolphin, seen from Doolin
to Derreen. Other species of dolphins are seen in the bays and inlets, as
well.
Fungie was reportedly first seen about the time a female bottlenose
washed up dead on the beach. Speculation was that she was Fungie’s mate.
A few years back, another bottlenose showed up for a while. This dolphin
was named “Smokey”, and there were reports of the two of them sailing off
for the South Seas, or somewhere more exotic than West Kerry. However, the
romance was short lived and Smokey left Fungie to go off to the bright lights
of the further Atlantic. Fungie, it seems, is happy in his hometown.
During the summer months Fungie is often seen taking fish in the harbor
mouth. On several occasions he has been observed catching a fish commonly
known as a “Garfish”, a species which had not previously been recorded as
part of a dolphin’s diet. During the winter months he must travel further
afield for his nourishment.
And with the popularity of Fungie has come other industries. Boat
trips to visit him, or to swim along are a thriving business. Then there
is An Domhan Fothoinn sa Daingean, or Dingle Oceanworld, a state-of-the-art
aquarium overlooking Dingle Harbour and the Dingle Marina. It is Ireland’s
premier purpose-built sea life center and sanctuary for the rare fish life
often found stranded along the shores of the Dingle Peninsula. The overall
theme of Oceanworld reflects the sea culture of West Kerry and indeed, the
whole western seaboard of Ireland. It also highlights the historic interface
of West Kerry’s people with the wild Atlantic Ocean through the mists of
time.
Alas, I did not see the world-famed celebrity during my brief stay
in town. Watching the fishing boats sailing in and out of the bay, I wondered
if this local boy made famous understood he was even more popular than another
hometown boy, named Brendan the Navigator. As both are known for their seagoing
exploits, they might have been able to share their love for Kerry and the
sea.
Rock County
UPCOMING EVENTS
• No meetings during June, July and August
• AUGUST 17 – Club Picnic, Sweet-Allyn Park at Shopiere
Our annual Club Picnic will be held at Sweet-Allyn Park in Shopiere,
from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. We will eat at 6 o’clock. Bring your own table service
and beverage, and a dish to pass. We will be in the shelter house, so plan
on coming rain or shine as we will be under cover.
Have you taken any trips this summer? If so, tell us about your trip.
If no trip, tell us what you have been doing since our last meeting.
South Central
Sunday, April 18, we met at the Mauston Park Oasis with 25 members present.
Our guest was Fr. Daniel Kelly. He gave a short background of himself
and as a priest, he told of one of his recent trips to Ireland to marry a
great niece, with all members of the wedding party traveling to Ireland for
the wedding.
Following Father’s talk, a short business meeting was held. May 16,
the Club was to meet at the Kalahari in Lake Delton for election of officers.
Many members remained to eat and socialize.
– Mary E. Stieve, Reporter
Green Bay News
The May 17 meeting featured Poet Kathy Mallon and harpist Cheryl Murphy
in a program entitled “Interlace.” Cheryl is a well-known harpist in the
Green Bay area, and performs with Celtic Consort. Kathy has been published
in Emerald Reflections, was a two-time Irish Fest Poetry Contest winner,
and was featured in Look Back Upon Erin.
The Shamrock Club Summer Picnic will take place Monday night July
19 at Bay Beach. Information will be sent out in June. The Shamrock Club
will have a food booth at Festival Foods on July 23-24. Come support your
Club.
Dane County Shamrock Club
There was no formal Board or General Meeting in May. Instead, club
members were urged to attend “Fitchburg Days” which were held May 21 through
May 23, 2004, at McKee Park in Fitchburg. Fitchburg Days has Celtic/Irish
emphasis on the Saturday events with extensive cultural events running from
12 Noon to 5 p.m. Additionally there was entertainment running from 1 p.m.
to Midnight.
The Dane County Club contributed 32 volunteer hours in various booths
most of which were selling raffle tickets for a special trip. Other booths
manned by Dane County volunteers were the food and beer tents. There were
a number of visitors from many of the club branches who stopped by the Dane
County booth. Fitchburg Days continues to grow in popularity and participation
each year. I would recommend it as a scheduled event next year as it will
only get better.
New Dublin
A picture of the Shamrock Club of New Dublin members was the number
one “Whacky Irish Ways to Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day” on AOL this past March.
The photo showed members taking down the New London street signs and replacing
them with New Dublin signs.
In related news from New Dublin, the tentative schedule of events
for Irish Week for 2005 has been released. The name changing starts the week
on March 14, with the Irish Festival on March 19. Here is a list of events:
Monday March 14: Leprechauns change the name of the town the New Dublin.
Tuesday March 15: HOOLIGAN DAY. Corned Beef & Cabbage served at
Pup’s Irish Pub, Hwy 54 in North Dublin and Sommer’s Midtown, Downtown New
Dublin as well as many other fine establishments in New Dublin.
Wednesday March 16: Irish Caroling at St. Joseph’s Residence and Franklin
Park apartments. A great way to learn all the traditional Irish sing-a-longs.
Song sheets provided. Meet in the lobby of St. Joseph’s at 5 p.m.
Thursday March 17: HAPPY ST. PATRICK’S DAY! Irish Entertainment at
New London Sr. High School auditorium 7 p.m. Talented artists of New Dublin
present an evening of Irish entertainment featuring songs, dances and humor
of Ireland. Introduction of the 2005 Irish Man of the Year, Irish Rose, Grand
Marshal, and the Irish Lad & Lassie. Great family entertainment. Public
invited. Free admission, donations appreciated.
Friday March 18: 8 p.m. Finnegans wake service begins at Pup’s Irish
Pub two miles west of New Dublin on Hwy 54 and proceeds to other local establishments.
7 p.m. Irish Ceili at Crystal Falls. Free admission.
Saturday March 19: The Grand Parade & Irishfest. 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Irishfest under the Big Top in Festival Foods Parking lot, Downtown New Dublin.
Admission $5 for all day. 1 p.m. St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Downtown New
Dublin. Wisconsin’s largest St. Patrick’s Day parade with marching and bagpipe
bands, clan and business floats. Over 100 units. Prizes awarded.
Milwaukee President’s Message
Ladies and Gentlemen, Shamrock Club Members All,
Congratulations to our newly elected Officers and Board. Thanks to
all of the candidates for their commitment to our Shamrock Club. Thanks also
to those who have served these past years, your continued concerns and volunteer
efforts are a true source of inspiration to our new members.
Our June meeting will feature its own brand of special entertainment,
and a discussion of proposed bylaws changes. Remember these are the guiding
rules of our organization.
Summer is here and you will see our Shamrock Club Color Guard starting Memorial Day and in several parades all over the state.
June 4 the Celtic Women will meet at the ICHC.
June 5 our fellow Celts, the Scottish will host the Highland Games,
featuring food and entertainment. All this fun will take place at Heidelberg
Park.
Check out the Shamrock Club Hurling team live at the lakefront every Sunday.
Milwaukee Election Results
The yearly election of officers for the Shamrock Club of Wisconsin
Board of Directors was held May 6, 2004 with the following results:
• President: Julie Smith
• Vice President: Kris Carrig
• Secretary: Kathy Ferrell
• Treasurer: Patrick Fitzgibbons
• Membership: Tom Smith
• Trustee: Del Canon
• Parliamentarian: Tom Blaha
• Sgt. At Arms: Kerry-Jo Pfeifer
Celtic Women First Friday Lectures
JUNE 4, 2004. Topic: “Immigration Patterns of the Celts to North America.”
Speaker: Patricia Keeney Geyh, genealogist; co-director of the Irish Emigration
Library housed at the ICHC in Milwaukee. Pat is a founding member of the
Irish Genealogical Society of Wisconsin. She has been involved in genealogy
for 28 years, traveling to libraries and archives throughout the U.S., Canada,
Ireland, England, France and Denmark. Through all of this research she has
become fascinated with the various migration patterns followed by immigrants
into this country.
FOLLOWING THIS LECTURE: there will be a wine and cheese reception
in Parlor B to open the new exhibit of genealogy mounted by the Irish Genealogical
Society of Wisconsin. Free and open to the public. Please join us!
All lectures are held from 5:30 – 7 p.m. at the ICHC in Parlor A.
Admission is $5. Everyone is welcome including men and non-members as well
as Celtic Women members. Tea and biscuits are served. Please join us for
a delightful few hours of Celtic education and entertainment. You may call
the ICHC at (414) 345-8800 for more information.
Please pay attention to parking regulations at the ICHC. The areas
on either side of the ICHC building are not to be used for our parking at
any time.
Corrections
The Emerald Reflections May 2004 story titled: “Milwaukee Irish Arts
Thanks” was incorrectly worded and should have stated, “The Shamrock Club
would like to thank Milwaukee Irish Arts for hosting the Club honorees at
their St Patrick’s night gala.”
Also, in the April 2004 issue, Kinsella Academy’s address was incorrectly
stated. It is located at 3410 West Forest Home Ave. An incorrect street name
was given.
Color Guard News and Notes
For your Shamrock Club of Wisconsin Color Guard Pipes and Drums the
month of April is one of preparation, practice, fine tuning and anticipation!
With an eye towards the upcoming 2004 Parade/Events Schedule the Unit
has been putting in countless time and effort to – with “Pride and Honor”
– organize and plan to represent you the members of the Shamrock Club of
Wisconsin with the highest level of dedication to all the values, traditions,
heritage and ancestry of the club, and all that is Irish. The Pipes and Drums
meet every week to work on the precision of their music, while the entire
Unit meets once a month to discuss and lay out strategy to be used in upcoming
performances, which will allow the group to achieve the highest level of
success.
Over the past months, the Color Guard, Pipes and Drums has welcomed
into the Unit several new members – when next you attend a Parade/Event or
other Club function, please step forward to introduce yourself and get to
know, those who have chosen to represent you and make them feel “at home”
with the Shamrock Club of Wisconsin; your support means a lot!
The Color Guard, Pipes and Drums, as is tradition, were very honored
and proud to be participants in the annual Easter Rising Mass, held on Sunday,
April 11 at the Irish Cultural and Heritage Center. Once again the Unit stepped
forward, showing its flexibility and versatility by discarding its original
performance plans and adjusting to last minute changes in the program and
providing a well balanced and organized performance; we hope you were as
proud of us, as we were proud to represent you, the members of the Shamrock
Club of Wisconsin.
PARADE/EVENT SCHEDULE
• MAY 31 – Menomonee Falls Memorial Day Parade, 10 a.m.
• MAY 31 – Milwaukee Memorial Day Parade (Zeidler Park), 2 p.m.
• JUNE 5 – Milwaukee Highland Games, (Heidelberg Park, Glendale) noon
• JUNE 13 – Waubeka Flag Day Parade, 1:30 p.m.
If you would like to have the Shamrock Club Color Guard, Pipes and
Drums appear in a parade, special event or family occasion – or you would
like to join the Unit as a banner carrier, color guard, piper or drummer,
please contact:
Richard Pfeiffer, Director
Shamrock Club Color Guard, Pipes and Drums
Telephone: (414) 769-1250
E-mail: milwpiper@cs.com
Youth Hurling Clinic
Continuing on what seems to be a new found tradition, the MHC will
host the 2nd Annual Youth Hurling Clinic on June 12 and 19 for kids aged
seven to fourteen. The two-day event will cover the basics of hurling and
feature a scrimmage by participants at the conclusion of the second day.
The $20 cost will cover lunch for both days, refreshments, a commemorative
t-shirt, and use of necessary equipment. Please contact Jessica Huver or
Karen Fink for more information. You can leave either one of them a message
on the hurler’s hotline at (414) 297-9490.
Women Hurlers
The Milwaukee Clash camogie team (women’s version of hurling) traveled
to Washington DC on May 1st to compete against the DC Gaels, their always
worthy opponents. And once again, Milwaukee brought home a victory! Playing
10-aside, the team was able to outsmart, outplay and outscore. The Clash
has competed against the DC Gaels four times in the last year, including
the NAGAA Junior Camogie Championships in Boston last year. And in case you
didn’t hear the news, the Clash brought home the trophy for that as well!
RTE News Items
NO USE OF E-VOTING IN JUNE
The Minister for the Environment and Local Government, Martin Cullen,
has said electronic voting will not be used in the local and European elections
in June. Mr. Cullen’s decision follows the publication of the report from
the Independent Commission on Electronic Voting, which said the system’s
reliability could not be established to its satisfaction. In its report,
the commission said it has not been able to satisfy itself sufficiently as
to the accuracy and secrecy of the chosen system. The commission emphasizes
that its conclusion is not based on any finding that the system will not
work, but on the finding that it has not been proven at this time to the
satisfaction of the commission that it will work.
Testing identified an error in the count software that could lead
to incorrect distribution of surpluses. The Commission found it was ‘very
easy’ to bypass security measures on the computer doing the count, and it
had concerns about the secrecy of the ballot.
The commission was set up by the Government to look into the accuracy and security of the electronic voting system.
In the wake of the report, the Labour Party has called on Minister
Cullen to resign. Labour claims Mr. Cullen totally ignored all valid concerns
raised by Opposition parties and by every technical expert.
The Fine Gael Spokesman on the Environment, Bernard Allen, claimed
Minister Cullen had tampered with the very essence of democracy and had wasted
taxpayers’ money. Mr. Cullen rejected the claims but said today had not been
a great day for him. Around €40 million has so far been spent in acquiring
the necessary machines. (Bernard Allen appeared in Milwaukee for the Shamrock
Club’s St Patrick’s Day Parade in 1998. At that time, he was a minister of
Health, Youth and Sport for Ireland.)
REVENUE COLECT UNPAID TAXES
The Revenue Commissioners collected almost E80m from tax defaulters
in the final three months of the last year. One of the highest settlements
involved one of the Taoiseach’s favourite pubs, Kennedy’s in Dromcondra in
Dublin. The deceased owner of that pub, Thomas Kennedy, had to pay more than
E1m as a result of the bogus non-resident accounts investigation. The quarterly
list of tax defaulters published is dominated by farmers and company directors.
Teaching Teachers In Ireland
Dr. Patrick Fleming, Assistant Professor in the Education Department
of Edgewood College, in Madison, Wisconsin, has been invited by the County
Cork Education Centre in Cork City, Ireland, to present two eight hour workshops
to Irish teachers in Macroom, County Cork, Ireland, the last week of August,
2004.
This will be the fourth summer that Dr. Fleming has been invited back
to Ireland to share the best educational practices that are being implemented
in Wisconsin schools. He has presented 20 hour workshops to over 40 teachers
and administrators in each session in Limerick and Dublin, Ireland. Because
of his work with teachers in Limerick he was asked to present the nation’s
Primary Inspectors by the Ministry of Education in Dublin.
As a member of the education faculty at Edgewood College, Fleming
supervises student teachers and is able to witness firsthand the outstanding
teaching that is taking place in Wisconsin schools. “As our society becomes
more complex, it challenges educators to develop more effective ways to meet
the diverse needs of our young people,” said Dr. Fleming. In his workshops
he shares with the Irish teachers the best educational practices that will
help them cope with the changes in their society that have taken place since
joining the European Economic Community.
A charter member of the Dane County Shamrock Club, Patrick Fleming
has been making trips to Ireland since 1971. In addition to educational study
trips to Ireland, Fleming has lead tour groups as well.
St. Patrick’s Help Fund
St. Patrick’s Help Fund is in desperate need of non-perishable foods.
Please place in container at each meeting. However, donations can be brought
to the ICHC any time during the week. It is not restricted to just meetings.
A big thank you to everybody who has contributed to help the needy people
at St. Patrick’s. Questions? Call Katy Voss (414) 352-6479.
New Members
NOTE: Please send your dues to your Membership Chairperson in your
chapter. All names and addresses are listed in Emerald Reflections.
Milwaukee – Greg and Debbie Baran (referred by Joe Hughes, Jr.); Cheryl
M. Bates (referred by self); Colleen J. Kohn (referred by self); Patrick,
Bridget, Nora, Magan, Sean, Molly, Rosie Minster (referred by Glencastle
Irish Dancers); Kate Paszkowski (referred by Glencastle Irish Dancers); Terry
and Kathy Stephens (referred by Glencastle Irish Dancers);
MILWAUKEE CHAPTER MEMBERSHIP REPORT:
• MACH: 82 memberships up for renewal, 56 paid, 26 dropped for nonpayment.
• APRIL.: 51 memberships up for renewal, 30 paid, 21 due.
• MAY: 40 memberships up for renewal, 15 paid, 25 due.
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