Dopey Dick set for city return

Children take part in activities inside the Dopey Dick replica during his last local visit during the Foyle Maritime Festival.

Thousands of spectators will line the riverfront on Monday October 31 in an attempt to catch a glimpse of the replica whale on the water, just as they did for the genuine article almost 40 years ago.

The Orca Whale first appeared back in November 1977 after apparently being drawn into Lough Foyle in search of salmon.

He spent several days in the city centre and, after a number of failed attempts to guide him back to the Atlantic Ocean, left of his own accord on Saturday November 12th with his place in local folklore secured.

The latest incarnation is the brain child of The Helen Hamlyn Centre for Design Royal College of Art in partnership with the Public Health Agency.They have built a life size version covered by patch work quilts to help them engage with the public about how the river can be best used for recreation and promoting health and wellbeing.

The wooden structure has been positioned on the riverside on a number of occasions, most recently during this year’s Foyle Dopey will be positioned in Waterloo Place on Saturday 29th and Sunday 31st October between midday and 8pm where he will be joined by musicians, poets, writers, story tellers and all sorts of features and characters.

On Halloween night Dopey will return to his spiritual home on the water from 7pm with the helpful support of the Lough Agency, Foyle Paddlers and Foyle Search and Rescue.