In Co. Kerry you can swim with the world's oldest solitary dolphin, Fungie

FUNGIE MIGHT be the longest living solitary dolphin on the planet but he’s far from lonely.

Thousands of people take from the shores of the County Kerry coast each year to catch a glimpse of the friendly mammal, and very rarely does he disappoint.

As we reported last month, Fungie the Dolphin is the world’s oldest solitary dolphin, but did you know you can take a quick boat trip from Dingle to meet the bottlenose in person? (Okay, maybe not person, but ‘in dolphin’ doesn’t have the same ring to it.)

Fungie is one of the biggest tourist attractions in Dingle, a popular tourist town already known for its beautifully quaint old-Ireland atmosphere, with great food, traditional music and gorgeous scenery.

Since the bottlenose chose the waters of Dingle to be his home in 1983 there have been countless people eager to get closer and see him in his natural habitat.

Fungie-oriented tourist site DingleDolphin.com share their vision for helping as many people as possible to see the Kerry celebrity, through a poem on their website:

If you’re coming to Dingle by car, bike or bus

Pop down to the harbour and book the best Fungie trip with us

At the top of the pier you’ll find our Orange Gaff

There you’ll find our lovely girls who we’re proud to call staff

Fungie is waiting to say a big hello

So pop on our boat and go with the flow

All ages are welcome from young to old

Come do a trip with us and let the story unfold

The dolphin is famous for his friendliness, almost always appearing close to the boat, jumping and playing nearby or swimming up to get a closer look at his fans.

DingleDolphin offer the Fungie package as well as a Harbour Cruise, where you can hear the story of Dingle, its people and its history, all while taking in the breathtaking scenery of the Kerry.

Most exciting of all is the 'Up Close and Personal' package with Dingle Sea Safari, allowing you to become one with nature as you swim in the ocean with the old dolphin in his own environment.

Several Irish celebrities have taken advantage of this once-in-a-lifetime experience, including Mary Black and Mr Bond himself, Pierce Brosnan.

Other packages include fishing off the Kerry coast, and an ocean safari which takes you all the way to the incredible Blasket Islands.

Tickets start at just €8 for children and the trip is guaranteed to be the cherry on top of a fantastic break away to Dingle.

You can book tickets here, and if the dolphin isn't seen, your money is returned-- which goes to show just how little that happens.