Gallagher, Danny
Irish healer, the seventh son of a seventh son, and thus, according
to folk tradition, destined to heal by touch. Although
aware of this tradition, Gallagher did not attempt to practice
healing until 1974, when he was working as an ice cream vendor
in Coalisland, Northern Ireland. He had often saved an ice
cream for a young girl who was paralyzed from the waist down.
One day the girl was late in meeting the ice cream van, and Gallagher
had a sudden premonition that he should help the
child. He entered the house of her parents and told them he
believed he could cure the girl. He succeeded, and when the
news spread rapidly, Gallagher was overwhelmed by requests
from scores of sick people for his healing touch. He sold his ice
cream van and began a new life as a healer.
At the beginning of his ministry thousands of invalids traveled
miles and waited in line for hours to spend just a few moments
with the healer. Many remarkable cures have been
claimed. Invalids have stood up from their wheelchairs and
walked, terminal cancer patients have recovered, the deaf have
regained hearing, and the blind have recovered their sight. For
example, Jean Pritchett had been blind for 22 years, and a specialist
had even recommended removal of one of her eyes.
Jeans brother Peter went to a faith healing meeting in Birmingham,
England, and just happened to take Jean along with
him. After treatment by Gallagher, Jean recovered her sight.
Gallaghers healing technique normally involves three sessions
with a patient. In the first session he lays his hands on the
afflicted part of the body and requests that the patient bring
soil from consecrated ground for the second visit. On that visit
he blesses the soil and asks the patient to mix it with water
and bathe the troubled area with it. On the third visit the treatment
is normally completed.
Danny does not consider what he does healing by faith.
Rather, he observes, A person can come with faith in me, or
God, or themselves, or none at all. It doesnt matter. He says
he believes he acts only as a channel for divine healing power.
After traveling through Ireland, England, Australia, and the
United States giving healing sessions, Gallagher set up a clinic
at the house of his friends Mr. & Mrs. Jim Shannon at 49
Crouch Hill, Finsbury Park, London, N4. His address in Ireland
is 122 Glen Rd., Maghera, Co. Derry, Northern Ireland.
