Dungarvan's Surfing Seals Could Get Permanent Statue as Town Icon
A local volunteer in Dungarvan, County Waterford, has launched a campaign for a statue to celebrate the town's famous surfing seals, which have become an iconic symbol and tourist draw. The seals are regularly spotted around Dungarvan Harbour, most notably when they perch atop a paddleboard fixed in the River Colligan in the town centre.
Seals Become Synonymous with Dungarvan
Garvan Cummins, who operates a bike hire service in the town, stated that the surfing seals have become very synonymous with Dungarvan. He explained that many visitors and photographers come specifically to see them, making the seals an iconic representation of the area. The colony is believed to consist of around nine seals, though they are typically seen in groups of two or three while surfing.
The paddleboard was originally placed in the river by a local resident approximately 15 years ago. During stormy weather, the board can flip over, exposing its barnacle-covered side, which deters the seals from boarding. When this occurs, locals often intervene by flipping the board back or removing the barnacles to make it accessible again.
Community Devastation and Joyful Return
Sar'anne Walsh, a Dungarvan local and volunteer with Seal Rescue Ireland, described the surfing seals as such a draw for the town. Residents were devastated when the board became unmoored and drifted out to sea in July 2023. Fortunately, a local fisherman retrieved it, and after cleaning to remove the seals' scent, it was returned to the river.
It took nine months for the seals to reappear on the board. Ms Walsh recounted the moment they returned: I was driving over a bridge in the estuary and saw two seals on the board. I started singing and dancing in the car, but then noticed a tourist bus approaching. The driver and tour guide had huge smiles, and the guide was gesticulating wildly, clearly excited to show the seals to tourists again.
She added that every passing car had people with big smiles, and the event was widely covered in local media. Ms Walsh emphasised the uniqueness of this phenomenon, noting that she has researched and found no other location where seals sunbathe on a paddleboard in an urban estuary setting.
Perfect Placement and Local Impact
Ms Walsh described the board's location as perfectly placed, being safely distant from humans yet easily visible for photography. It is situated right outside a hotel that has recently undergone a significant extension. Local businesses have capitalised on the seals' fame, with some using the name surfing seals in their branding.
For instance, the local cinema shows an advert before films featuring a seal on the surfboard with an environmental message about not littering. This demonstrates how the seals are used to connect people with environmental causes.
Campaign for a Commemorative Statue
Inspired by the tour bus's reaction to the seals' return, Ms Walsh approached a local councillor about erecting a statue to honour the seals' importance. She argued that more recognition is needed, citing widespread social media excitement when the seals reappeared.
We have to commemorate what these seals mean to everybody locally. It's just incredible, she said. She suggested the statue could depict the seals in a happy banana pose—a U-shape they form when content—as a lasting tribute to their role in the community.
