| Michael Gallagher | |
|---|---|
| Residence | Glenfin, County Donegal |
| Occupation | Postman |
| Known for | his weather predictions |
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.[1]
The Evening Herald has described him as "one of the country's more unusual forecasters".[2] According to The Irish Times, he is the most well-known amateur forecaster in Ireland.[1]
His book, Old Traditional Weather Signs, was released in August 2009.[2]
Gallagher has been a postman for more than 40 years.[3] He lives in Glenfin village in County Donegal.[2] He was featured on RTÉ Radio 1 programme Mooney in December 2006, in a show dedicated to the decline of the rural post office in Ireland.[4]
Gallagher has been involved in the prediction of weather events for at least 25 years.[1][2] He studied the methods used by people from the Bluestack Mountains.[2] He does not believe in the legend of Saint Swithin's Day — that if it rains it will rain for forty more days.[2]
He accompanied his daughter to China to compete in the Special Olympics — she claimed a silver medal for Ireland.[3] Whilst there the prominence of ancient customs in the region inspired him to write a book called Traditional Weather Signs.[3]
Gallagher first came to national attention in 2007 when he predicted an end to rain that summer.[3] There was "massive interest" in his methods of prediction.[3][5]
In May 2009, he predicted sunny weather for the Irish summer.[1] He claimed that thunder and lightning that month meant there would be good weather later, according to old traditions.[1]
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.[2] A weather forecaster in New Zealand agreed with him.[2]
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".[3][6] 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.[6] Met Éireann officials have stated that they could not tell at that time if it was likely there would be a snowfall.[6]