In the quaint village of Pullough, Co Offaly, there is a local pub that attracts an unusual crowd on Sunday mornings.
The Pull Inn isn’t your typical watering hole; it serves as a spiritual refuge for those seeking a different kind of cure.
Joe Gallagher, the pub owner, is a seventh son, believed in Irish folklore to possess healing powers.
While his main focus is on curing skin conditions, such as ringworm, Gallagher has successfully treated a wide range of medical ailments.
Last Sunday, a teenage girl with eczema and a six-year-old boy with a severe facial rash were among Gallagher’s clients.
Accompanied by their mothers, they sat in the family sitting room, known as “the clinic,” where the healer administered his cures. With a touch of holy water, a prayer, and a laying of hands on the affected areas, Gallagher’s power seemed to work wonders.
The boy’s once prominent facial rash had all but disappeared, leaving behind a smile on his face.
Although Gallagher is adamant that his services do not compete with traditional medicine, he urges his clients to seek conventional treatments alongside his spiritual interventions.
At 76 years old, he has performed countless healings but still considers himself limited in his abilities, often reminding people, “I’m not a doctor.”
Being a certified seventh son is no small feat. To qualify, one must be part of an unbroken sequence of the same sex, even counting stillbirths.
Gallagher, born near the Donegal-Leitrim border in 1946, did not initially think much of his status as a seventh son.
However, when a local priest informed his parents about his healing potential, Gallagher’s journey as a faith healer began.
Throughout his life, Gallagher has kept his talents under wraps, performing healings only when asked.
While he briefly considered a career as a monk, he ultimately found himself running a series of bars in Offaly and Westmeath.
Today, only The Pull Inn in Pullough remains, serving as a meeting place for those seeking spiritual solace and a pint.
Gallagher provides his healing services free of charge, believing that he is merely a conduit for a higher power.
Any monetary gifts he receives are promptly donated to charity.
Although his abilities have occasionally been put to the test, such as an exorcism performed a few years ago, Gallagher remains committed to his role as a healer, offering hope and relief to those who come seeking a different kind of remedy.
FAQ
Q: Who is Joe Gallagher?
A: Joe Gallagher is the owner of The Pull Inn, a pub in Pullough, Co Offaly, known for his healing abilities as a certified seventh son.
Q: What kind of ailments does Gallagher treat?
A: Gallagher primarily focuses on curing skin conditions, such as ringworm, but claims to have successfully treated a wide range of medical ailments.
Q: How does Gallagher administer his cures?
A: Gallagher administers his cures through a touch of holy water, a prayer, and laying hands on the affected areas.
Q: Does Gallagher believe his services compete with traditional medicine?
A: No, Gallagher does not see his services as competing with traditional medicine. He encourages his clients to seek conventional treatments alongside his spiritual interventions.
Q: What is a seventh son?
A: In Irish folklore, a seventh son is believed to possess healing powers. To be certified as a seventh son, one must be part of an unbroken sequence of the same sex, including stillbirths.
Q: How does Gallagher view his own abilities?
A: Despite his healing successes, Gallagher considers himself limited in his abilities and often reminds people that he is not a doctor.
Q: Does Gallagher charge for his healing services?
A: No, Gallagher provides his healing services free of charge. Any monetary gifts he receives are donated to charity.
Definitions
1. Pullough, Co Offaly: A village located in County Offaly, Ireland.
2. Folklore: Traditional beliefs, customs, and stories passed down through generations by word of mouth.
3. Eczema: A condition causing the skin to become inflamed, itchy, and red.
4. Rash: An area of irritated or swollen skin, often marked by redness and itching.
5. Conventional Treatments: Standard medical treatments practiced by healthcare professionals.
6. Seventh Son: In Irish folklore, a child who is the seventh son of a seventh son, believed to possess special healing powers.