The ghost of Dopey Dick will thrill the crowds on his return to the banks of the Foyle in Derry this Halloween but there will be a practical element to the re-appearance of the North West’s favourite killer whale.
Thousands of spectators are expected to line the city’s 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 river and, after a number of failed attempts to guide him back to the Atlantic Ocean, left of his own accord on Saturday, November 12, with his place in local folklore secured.
The latest incarnation is the brainchild 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 Maritime Festival, where the public were encouraged, through a number of activities, to speak with researchers about the use of the river and its future.
Dopey will be positioned in Waterloo Place on Saturday 29 and Sunday, 31 October, between midday and 8.00pm where he will be joined by musicians, poets, writers, story tellers and all sorts of features and characters.
Among them will be local groups In Your Space, Echo Echo and local artist Kevin Cassidy as well as choirs and other surprises with the public encouraged to come along and interact.
On Halloween night Dopey will return to his spiritual home on the water from 7.00pm with the helpful support of the Lough Agency, Foyle Paddlers and Foyle Search and Rescue.
Photo shows children taking part in activities inside the Dopey Dick replica during his last visit during the Foyle Maritime Festival.
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