In mythology, the Boyne River was home to the Salmon of Knowledge, but it was a dolphin that was making waves in Drogheda this morning.
Believed to be a bottlenose, it stayed swimming in an area some 7km from the mouth of the Boyne and close to a playground, a short walk from the Louth town's centre.
News of it’s arrival was posted by the Boyne Fishermen’s Rescue and Recovery Service, who had initially been alerted to the possibility of a dog being in the river.
Instead they found themselves, for the first time in their history, in the company of a dolphin.
Among those watching it in wonder was Nicola Matthews and her children Joshua (5), Zoe (3) and Imogen (4 weeks), along with Theo Doyle (4).
“They have had a clear view of him and have seen him jumping. It is the highlight of the year for the kids especially with being in lockdown," she said.
“They have obviously been stuck in the house or been homeschooled so I said we would come out and see the dolphin.
“I used to go to see Fungi regularly during the summer as a child with my parents and swim with him. This is the first time seeing one in the Boyne. It is spectacular.
“It is not Fungi; this fella is quite young looking. There is salmon here in the river so he is fishing here, I am hoping he is not lost.”
Also watching on was Áine Walsh, an environmental scientist.
“It is about 7kms in from the sea at the upper reaches of the estuary where the water will start to turn into fresh water from salt water," she explained
"This fella needs salt water so he needs to turn on the tide hopefully.”
The Boyne Fishermen’s Rescue said that when they realised it was a dolphin, they "contacted the appropriate services for some further information, advice and guidance.
"A health check was quickly conducted and we are currently assisting the appropriate services with this incident.”
Padraig Whooley, Sightings Officer with the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group said: “It is a large dolphin and likely to be a bottlenose.”
He advised people to “enjoy the spectacle” and said: “There is no need to jump to the conclusion that we need to intervene.”
There was no immediate concern for the dolphin and he referenced how a Walrus spotted off the West Coast of Ireland had been seen in Wales four days later.
“We would ask that any sightings with images be reported to us on www.iwdg.ie, where you can just click on the 'Report a Sighting' Link on the homepage," he said.
"These records will enable us monitor the animal and establish whether it stays in the area for a while, or leaves on the next falling tide, which hopefully it will.”
