Michael Gallagher (postman)
Encyclopedia
Michael Gallagher is a postman from County Donegal
who is known for predicting weather events in Ireland
. He studies the behaviour of animals and plants to determine the nature of the weather. His predictions have been disputed by Met Éireann
and their scientific methods yet he says between 70 and 80 per cent of his predictions come true.
The Evening Herald
has described him as "one of the country's more unusual forecasters". According to The Irish Times
, he is the most well-known amateur forecaster in Ireland.
His book, Old Traditional Weather Signs, was released in August 2009.
programme Mooney
in December 2006, in a show dedicated to the decline of the rural post office in Ireland.
Gallagher has been involved in the prediction of weather events for at least 25 years. He studied the methods used by people from the Bluestack Mountains
. He does not believe in the legend of Saint Swithin's Day
— that if it rains it will rain for forty more days.
He accompanied his daughter to China
to compete in the Special Olympics
— she claimed a silver medal for Ireland. Whilst there the prominence of ancient customs in the region inspired him to write a book called Traditional Weather Signs.
In May 2009, he predicted sunny weather for the Irish summer. He claimed that thunder and lightning that month meant there would be good weather later, according to old traditions.
In July 2009, he predicted that sunny weather would end on 22 August, that the weather would deteriorate after this time but improve again that September. A weather forecaster in New Zealand
agreed with him.
In December 2009, he predicted that he was "90 per cent certain" there would be snow in Ireland on Christmas Day, also known as a "white Christmas
". He pointed to the way animals such as cattle, foxes and sheep were behaving and the way in which the grass had grown in late October. Met Éireann officials have stated that they could not tell at that time if it was likely there would be a snowfall.
County Donegal
County Donegal is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Border Region and is also located in the province of Ulster. It is named after the town of Donegal. Donegal County Council is the local authority for the county...
who is known for predicting weather events in Ireland
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
. He studies the behaviour of animals and plants to determine the nature of the weather. His predictions have been disputed by Met Éireann
Met Éireann
Met Éireann is the national meteorological service in Ireland, part of the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government.-History:...
and their scientific methods yet he says between 70 and 80 per cent of his predictions come true.
The Evening Herald
Evening Herald
The Evening Herald is a mid-market tabloid evening newspaper published in Dublin, Ireland by Independent News & Media. It is published Monday-Saturday, and has three editions — City Edition, City Final Edition and National Edition...
has described him as "one of the country's more unusual forecasters". According to The Irish Times
The Irish Times
The Irish Times is an Irish daily broadsheet newspaper launched on 29 March 1859. The editor is Kevin O'Sullivan who succeeded Geraldine Kennedy in 2011; the deputy editor is Paul O'Neill. The Irish Times is considered to be Ireland's newspaper of record, and is published every day except Sundays...
, he is the most well-known amateur forecaster in Ireland.
His book, Old Traditional Weather Signs, was released in August 2009.
Background
Gallagher has been a postman for more than 40 years. He lives in Glenfin village in County Donegal. He was featured on RTÉ Radio 1RTÉ Radio 1
RTÉ Radio 1 is the principal radio channel of Irish public-service broadcaster Raidió Teilifís Éireann and is the direct descendant of Dublin radio station 2RN, which began broadcasting on a regular basis on 1 January 1926...
programme Mooney
Mooney (radio programme)
Mooney is an Irish radio programme broadcast on RTÉ Radio 1. Presented by Derek Mooney, the programme airs Monday to Friday from 15:00 to 16:30....
in December 2006, in a show dedicated to the decline of the rural post office in Ireland.
Gallagher has been involved in the prediction of weather events for at least 25 years. He studied the methods used by people from the Bluestack Mountains
Bluestack Mountains
The Bluestack Mountains or Blue Stack Mountains, also called the Croaghgorms , are the major mountain range in the south of County Donegal, Ireland. They provide a barrier between the south of the county, such as Donegal Town and Ballyshannon, and the towns to the north and west such as Dungloe and...
. He does not believe in the legend of Saint Swithin's Day
Saint Swithin's Day
Saint Swithin's Day may refer to:* the feast day of Saint Swithun * St. Swithin’s Day , written by Grant Morrison* “St. Swithin’s Day,” a song by Billy Bragg...
— that if it rains it will rain for forty more days.
He accompanied his daughter to China
People's Republic of China
China , officially the People's Republic of China , is the most populous country in the world, with over 1.3 billion citizens. Located in East Asia, the country covers approximately 9.6 million square kilometres...
to compete in the Special Olympics
Special Olympics
Special Olympics is the world's largest sports organization for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, providing year-round training and competitions to more than 3.1 million athletes in 175 countries....
— she claimed a silver medal for Ireland. Whilst there the prominence of ancient customs in the region inspired him to write a book called Traditional Weather Signs.
Notable predictions
Gallagher first came to national attention in 2007 when he predicted an end to rain that summer. There was "massive interest" in his methods of prediction.In May 2009, he predicted sunny weather for the Irish summer. He claimed that thunder and lightning that month meant there would be good weather later, according to old traditions.
In July 2009, he predicted that sunny weather would end on 22 August, that the weather would deteriorate after this time but improve again that September. A weather forecaster in New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
agreed with him.
In December 2009, he predicted that he was "90 per cent certain" there would be snow in Ireland on Christmas Day, also known as a "white Christmas
White Christmas
A white Christmas refers to the presence of snow on Christmas Day. This phenomenon is most common in the northern countries of the Northern Hemisphere...
". He pointed to the way animals such as cattle, foxes and sheep were behaving and the way in which the grass had grown in late October. Met Éireann officials have stated that they could not tell at that time if it was likely there would be a snowfall.