Uncanny Atlas
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Claimed sighting

The Youghal mirage of an unknown city

WhereThis has no location, and never had one.
DoorSomething Seen
Our judgementObscurity 5 of 6

For more than an hour in June 1801, a mirage of a city nobody could name hung over Youghal, County Cork. Mirages of walled towns had been seen there in 1796 and 1797.

Charles Fort lists the case in New Lands. In June 1801 a mirage stood over Youghal, County Cork, for more than an hour. It showed large houses with shrubs and white fences around them and woods behind. Nobody knew what city it was.

Fort gives two earlier cases at the same town. In October 1796 a walled town showed clearly for half an hour, and on 9 March 1797 a walled town was seen again.

From the primary source
"June, 1801—a mirage of an unknown city. It was seen, for more than an hour, at Youghal, Co. Cork, Ireland—a representation of mansions, surrounded by shrubbery and white palings—forests behind. In October, 1796, a mirage of a walled town had been seen distinctly for half an hour at Youghal. Upon March 9, 1797, had been seen a mirage of a walled town."
Charles Fort (1923), Project Gutenberg ebook #78289, New LandsRead the source →
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Claimed sightingSomeone reported seeing it. The entry records the report and takes no side.
FolkloreA story carried by a community, with no single origin to point at.
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DisputedSomething happened. What it was is still argued over by the people who've studied the record.
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