Ireland’s most-famous amateur weatherman says he hopes the curlew doesn’t bring an end to the country’s hot weather spell.
Michael Gallagher says he fears the appearance of the iconic bird may mean an end to our roasting summer.
The Donegal postman took his own holidays two weeks ago at the start of the good spell.
And although he says he thinks we are still going to have a good summer, he fears more torrential rain and thunderstorms.
“I haven’t heard the curlew’s call at all this summer and that’s a really good sign.
“I don’t care if I don’t hear him because his call has always been a sign of rain.
“I think overall we’ll have a good summer with plenty of bright, sunny days.
“There is a new moon this month and that will hopefully help the weather to remain settled.
“However we have to be careful with those thunderstorms as they could swing the weather either way,” he said.
The postman, who learned his weather-forecasting skills from old people in the hills around Glenfin, says the good weather is giving everyone a lift.
“Everyone is in great form and it’s down to the weather.
“Yes, many people are still getting it tight because of the recession but the weather is free and people can go out for a walk in lovely sunshine and make the most of all we have in this wonderful country and it’s absolutely free,” he added.