Radio Times: Review by:; Jane Anderson

Off the south-west coast of Ireland lurks a phantom island as mysterious as Atlantis — but with better documentation of its possible existence. This island’s name is Hy-Brasil and it appeared on seafarers’ maps and charts from 1325 until the early 1870s.

In Irish myth it is said to rise from a brooding fog once every seven years and its sole human-like inhabitant is a magician. Paul Evans has written a poetic fantasy about a disillusioned fellow, sickened by the Second World War and man’s inhumanity, who finds a sailor to take him to Hy-Brasil. But the sorcerer’s home is no less unsettling than the world the man has left behind. Terrifying sound recordings of screaming birds and demonic beasts — even the chickens are scary — come courtesy of Chris Watson. This is the BBC Natural History Unit at its weirdest best.

About this programme

The tale of a man drained and disillusioned by war, who goes in search of Hy-Brasil, a mythical island said to lie off the south-west coast of Ireland. His journey takes him into a world of sorcery where he encounters strange and terrifying sounds in the fog and numerous unusual characters. Written and narrated by Paul Evans, with sound recordings by Chris Watson.