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About the Museum
The Museum of Hoaxes is dedicated to promoting knowledge about hoaxes. (Click here for opening hours, etc.) On our blog we post about dubious- sounding claims, and whatever else strikes our fancy. The site is also home to the Hoaxipedia (the museum's online encyclopedia of hoaxes), the Hoax Forum, and the Top 100 April Fools' Day Hoaxes.
The museum was created in 1997 by Alex Boese. He's assisted by a staff of deputy curators and docents. Alex is the author of three books, most recently Elephants on Acid: And Other Bizarre Experiments (which has nothing to do with hoaxes). Check out the list of the Top 20 Most Bizarre Experiments of All Time for a preview.
The Museum of Hoaxes is dedicated to promoting knowledge about hoaxes. (Click here for opening hours, etc.) On our blog we post about dubious- sounding claims, and whatever else strikes our fancy. The site is also home to the Hoaxipedia (the museum's online encyclopedia of hoaxes), the Hoax Forum, and the Top 100 April Fools' Day Hoaxes.
The museum was created in 1997 by Alex Boese. He's assisted by a staff of deputy curators and docents. Alex is the author of three books, most recently Elephants on Acid: And Other Bizarre Experiments (which has nothing to do with hoaxes). Check out the list of the Top 20 Most Bizarre Experiments of All Time for a preview.Prankplace.com
THE TOILET MONSTERYour wife will never yell at you about leaving the seat up again! The Toilet Monster attaches to the inside of the toilet bowl by suction cups. As the unsuspecting person goes to use the bathroom, they'll scream as they lift the lid and are greeted by the Toilet Monster! Not recommended for the elderly or those with a weak heart.
REMOTE CONTROL FART MACHINEThe Brand New Fart Machine has “BoomBox” Technology, which allows more vibrant, natural sounding farts. Simply hide the little speaker, then from up to 100 feet away, press the included remote, and the hidden speaker lets out one of 15 disgusting fart sounds. Place under your co-workers desk, and let the laughter begin.
In Memory of Father Noise
Status: Believed to be a hoax
Here's an interesting news report from Ireland:It has emerged that a joke bronze plaque found on Dublin's O'Connell Bridge has been there for three years. The plaque claims to mark the spot where a Father Pat Noise drowned when his carriage plunged into the Liffey, in suspicious circumstances, in 1919. But Dublin City Council says the priest is a fictitious figure, and wants the mystery sculptor to come forward. The plaque is arousing great public interest, and flowers and candles have been left on the bridge in memory of "Father Noise".
The Irish Sunday Tribune (no link) has a few more details:
The plaque, which even contains a picture alleging to be that of the mysterious religious figure, claims to mark the spot on which Fr Noise died "under suspicious circumstances when his carriage plunged into the Liffey on August 10th, 1919." The plaque states that Fr Noise was an "adviser to Peader Clancey."
After being informed by the Sunday Tribune of the plaque's existence, council officials inspected it on Friday afternoon and hope to identify when and how it was placed into a hole on top of the wall on the bridge. The plaque is located on the Ha'penny Bridge side of O'Connell Bridge, near to the traffic lights on Bachelor's Walk.
The plaque claims to have been erected by an organisation called "the HSTI", although the heritage department of the city council said it had never heard of a group by this name.
"Council officials had a look at the plaque (on Friday) but they said they had never seen it before," said a spokeswoman. "It is certainly very unusual for this to happen."
The council said that it was possible the plaque was erected legitimately a number of years ago, although this would seem most unlikely given that nobody seems to have noticed it until last week.
The rough manner in which the plaque is inserted into the wall would also suggest that it was placed only recently. Although it appears expertly made, it is too small for the hole, which has several rough edges.
Council officials will now attempt to pinpoint the age of the plaque and the historical significance of 'Fr Pat Noise' before making a decision on whether or not to remove the memorial.
After being informed by the Sunday Tribune of the plaque's existence, council officials inspected it on Friday afternoon and hope to identify when and how it was placed into a hole on top of the wall on the bridge. The plaque is located on the Ha'penny Bridge side of O'Connell Bridge, near to the traffic lights on Bachelor's Walk.
The plaque claims to have been erected by an organisation called "the HSTI", although the heritage department of the city council said it had never heard of a group by this name.
"Council officials had a look at the plaque (on Friday) but they said they had never seen it before," said a spokeswoman. "It is certainly very unusual for this to happen."
The council said that it was possible the plaque was erected legitimately a number of years ago, although this would seem most unlikely given that nobody seems to have noticed it until last week.
The rough manner in which the plaque is inserted into the wall would also suggest that it was placed only recently. Although it appears expertly made, it is too small for the hole, which has several rough edges.
Council officials will now attempt to pinpoint the age of the plaque and the historical significance of 'Fr Pat Noise' before making a decision on whether or not to remove the memorial.
Unfortunately I haven't been able to find any pictures of this plaque.
[Update:] Here's a picture of the plaque, though it doesn't let you see it very well.
Listed in chronological order. Newest comments at the end.
Page 1 of 1 pages
This reminds me of a website of a guy who plays a number of pranks, including the creation of a false plaque:
http://www.cockeyed.com/pranks/tunnel/tunnel.html
He had always been intrudged by the occasional set of four bolts sticking out of concrete, and decided to mount the plaque on one. I wonder if the guy in ireland had a similar thought.
Posted by ed in florida on Wed May 10, 2006 at 06:57 AMhttp://www.cockeyed.com/pranks/tunnel/tunnel.html
He had always been intrudged by the occasional set of four bolts sticking out of concrete, and decided to mount the plaque on one. I wonder if the guy in ireland had a similar thought.
Uh, yeah, that's a plaque.
Or a doormat.
Or a Hershey Bar.
From the picture, I can't tell which.
If anybody finds out what the plaque looks like or what's written on it, let me know.
Posted by Big Gary in Gun Barrel City, Texas, USA on Thu May 11, 2006 at 02:42 PMOr a doormat.
Or a Hershey Bar.
From the picture, I can't tell which.
If anybody finds out what the plaque looks like or what's written on it, let me know.
There are decent photos here -
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lostcarpark/sets/72057594130431286/
Posted by Chris on Fri May 12, 2006 at 07:08 AMhttp://www.flickr.com/photos/lostcarpark/sets/72057594130431286/
The city council are removing the plaque cos it was put up without permission, seems a pity because tour guides are even showing it to visitors. Aparently (according to Today FM's Ray Darcy) the face on the plaque is that of the father of the pranksters. And then Pat Noise is a corruption of Pater Noster (our Father).
Posted by IrishGirl26 in Ireland on Fri May 12, 2006 at 07:31 AMGood picture here
http://www.theultimatecomment.com
Posted by Shane T in Dublin on Fri May 12, 2006 at 09:31 AMhttp://www.theultimatecomment.com
Howya - I've posted my photographs of the plaque here:
http://www.blather.net/shitegeist/2006/05/father_pat_noise.htm
Posted by Dave Walsh in Dublin on Thu May 18, 2006 at 02:55 AMhttp://www.blather.net/shitegeist/2006/05/father_pat_noise.htm
The council will appear terrible killjoys if the plaque is removed. If nothing else it bears testament to the enduring Irish love of exaggeration, elaboration, and half-truth.
Posted by fústar in Limerick on Fri May 19, 2006 at 03:02 PMJust for those who may be interested, the plaque is still untouched by the council, almost one and a half years on!
Posted by Gabriel in Dublin on Thu Feb 15, 2007 at 05:34 PMPage 1 of 1 pages