We… well I, was thinking about launching an April Fools prank on here tomorrow to see how far it would spread (if it spread at all,) but these things rarely work well, and if they do, its the elaborate ones that do and I’m far too hungry to think of one of those. It got me thinking though of pranks that have been played out in this city. Below is my top five:
Save the Park!
5) Save the Park, 2006. In 2006, more than 250k listeners to the RTE radio programme “Mooney goes Wild on One” were informed of impending government plans as per a report entitled “Amended Programme for Rail, Integrated with Luas; First Official On- line Report” to build a dual carriageway with ten metre high screening walls down Chesterfield Avenue in the middle of the park. It was announced protestors had arrived to demonstrate the abominable plans. Pity they didn’t cop the abbreviation of the report spelt out APRIL FOOL.
"Like icebergs it was. Icebergs floating down the canal."
4) Icebergs on the Grand Canal, 1968. Not an April Fool this one, but an October one. October 1968 to be precise. JayCarax has an interesting piece on this here, that I’d only be doing an injustice in trying to re-hash for this piece. Just think of your average “Fairy Liquid in the fountain” trick times twenty.
Gardaí force crowds back from Connolly Station
3) Free train journey to Drogheda , 1844. An oldie this, but a goodie. Taken from Museum of Hoaxes;
During the final week of March, 1844 placards appeared all around Dublin advertising that a free train ride would be offered on April 1st to all who desired it. The free ride would ferry passengers to the town of Drogheda and back. Early on the first of April a large crowd gathered at the station. As a train began to approach, the crowd surged forward, eager to secure their free seats. But the conductors and overseers intervened to keep the people away from the train, informing them that no free ride was being offered. The crowd would have none of this, and a riot soon broke out. The paper reported the next day that, “The labourers on the road supported the overseers—the victims fought for their places, and the melee was tremendous.” The following day a number of people went to the police station to lodge official complaints. But the police dismissed all complaints “in honour of the day.”
Comic genius.
Can you imagine a happy Dolphin family living here?
2) Dolphins in Dolphins Barn, 2007. I’ve searched high and low, but the only reference I can find on this is from the dublin.ie forum. I remember reading it myself at the time and going “What?! That doesn’t makes sen… Oh.” Basically The Star (I think) ran with a front page of a photoshopped Dolphin’s Fin breaking the surface in the canal, claiming that a pod of dolphins had taken up residency. So ludicrous really but had me intrigued for… well, about twelve seconds.
Anna Conda?
1) Can I speak to Rory Lion please? 2008, Taken from spiegel.de.
Dublin Zoo has issued an appeal to the public to stop calling its switchboard. It warns people responding to text messages urging them to call people with names like G. Raffe, Anna Conda and Rory Lyons are falling victim to one of the oldest practical jokes in the book.
Unsuspecting people are falling for the ruse, which asks them to ring the Irish zoo’s number for an “urgent message,” signed by names like G. Raffe, C. Lion, Rory Lyons and Anna Conda.
“This is proving to be a very serious waste of our time and resources,” the zoo announced on Thursday, appealing to the public not to be taken in by the prank.
So simple in all it’s intricacies or lack thereof, but childish humour at its best. I can imagine myself doing it and barely being able to stifle a fit of the giggles. I didn’t do it though, I promise.
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So, anyone remember any other great Dublin pranks? Remember tomorrow kids, DON’T GET CAUGHT.
Click on the book for more.
Click on the book for more.
Donal
Ciarán
Sam
Come Here To Me! 
Was a FF government ever elected on April 1st? That would have to be the biggest prank of all…
@FXR – Not that I’m aware of but Joe Higgins replacement as MEP Paul Murphy officially becomes an MEP tomorrow!
Is it not 4 April, the beginning of the first plenary session of the European parliament after the letters were sent in?
@Tomboktu – Nope. Clerk of the Dáil will notify the EP that the seat has been filled and the new MEP is Paul today.
Reminds me of the classic message to
” Ring Annette Curtain at no;…….(Hickey’s Fabrics!!).
April Fools in my house usually involve election posters, which my siblings like to appropriate and keep in the garage (they make great sleds when it snows). One time I was exhausted and looking forward to my bed, only to pull back the cover and find the enormous leer of Royston Brady looking up at me. The last time I find a politician in my bed, here’s hoping.
An idea for Ryaniar:
Press release – 1 April 2012
kulula announcement causes a splash
New floating fleet to keep airline buoyant
Jo’burg, 1 April, 2012: April signifies a new era for South Africa’s favourite no-frills airline, kulula.com. Earlier today, the airline announced a first-of-its-kind solution to deliver improved revenue streams at an increasingly turbulent time for the aviation industry.
kulula has already taken steps to curb rising airport traffic congestion and high airport taxes by pioneering flights to secondary airports like Lanseria and even proposing to purchase the mothballed Durban airport from government, which was regrettably rejected. Their latest innovation will see selected flights landing on state-of-the-art water runways near Cape Town and Durban harbours and Hartebeespoort Dam in Gauteng.
“Globally, all airlines are feeling the pinch and 2012 will be a watershed year where only the most agile will keep their heads above water. kulula has always prided itself on successfully maintaining a low fare business model which motivated us to find new ways to ensure ticket prices remain affordable” says kulula group spokesperson, Heidi Brauer.
In July this year kulula will take delivery of eight new next-generation Boeing 737-800’s. Two of these aircraft are specifically designed for water landings.
The 737-Seaplane, in aviation terms is classified as a flying boat due to its modified fuselage which is the main source of buoyancy and which acts like a ship’s hull in the water. All these vessels have been designed to ensure smooth landings and are equipped with the latest technology to ensure passenger comfort and safety, says Brauer.
Before coming aboard, kulula captains and flight crew will undergo rigorous training on sea and water landings, judging drift from sea current, swell size and nautical navigation.
Passengers will embark and disembark from exclusive kulula piers and be ferried to the planes by designated water shuttles.
“Airlines that do not significantly reinvent themselves are unlikely to stay afloat in these troubled economic times. kulula has never been scared of navigating unchartered waters and once launched we’re sure it will go swimmingly.” says Brauer.
The first landing is scheduled for the 4th of July.
Ends
the giraffe shaped island in Dublin Bay from a while back was class 😉
Only seeing this now but I’d like to comment on Save the park 2006.
I am author of Phoenix Park a History and Guidebook and am on the left of the picture protesting on behalf of the entire deer population of the park.
On the right is Tomas McGiolla the veteran republican who was walking his dog nearby and happily joined in with the protest prank when invited to do so by me.
His first question?
When is the split?
The Herald ran pictures and a piece on the protests as well so the audience for it was huge.
Brendan Nolan
Absolutely brilliant comment Brendan, thanks for that; never copped that it was Tomás MacGiolla under the hat!