Donal Linehan

Donal Linehan
Born(1923-11-16)16 November 1923
Cork, Ireland
Died29 August 2006(2006-08-29) (aged 82)
Dublin
OccupationMeteorologist

Donal Linehan (16 November 1923 – 29 August 2006) was an Irish aviation meteorologist and fifth director of the Irish Meteorological Service.

Life

Donal L. Linehan was born on 16 November 1923 in St Luke's, Cork. Linehan was schooled at Christian Brothers' College, Cork, where his father Dan Linehan taught physics and mathematics. He attended University College Cork, graduating in with BE civil engineering in 1944 and a BSc in 1945. He was heavily involved in athletes, particularly badminton, as well as winning both the Pierce Malone scholarship and the Peel Memorial Prize.

Linehan met his wife, Lauri Kenny, through badminton. They married in January 1959, and had two children: Paul and Kate. He was a keen bridge player, and served as president of the Howth Bridge Club. Linehan died on 29 August 2006.

Career

Linehan was appointed to the Irish Meteorological Service (IMS) in March 1946, initially posted to Valentia Observatory. He then spent 20 years in Shannon Airport. In 1966, he was involved in setting up the forecast office at Cork Airport. He transferred back to Shannon as Office in Charge. Whilst in Shannon, he was involved in international civil aviation bodies such as the International Civil Aviation Organization. He moved to Dublin to work from the headquarters on O'Connell Street in 1975 to head the Central Analysis Forecast Office. Due to his degree in civil engineering, was heavily involved in the planning and construction of the new headquarters in Glasnevin with the architect, Liam McCormick. The building was constructed between 1975 and 1979. He was appointed assistant director to P. Kilian Rohan in 1978.

He was appointed director of the IMS in August 1981, taking over from Rohan. His assistant director was Ray Bates. During this period, Linehan advocated for the IMS against the austerity and cuts to the civil service during the 1980s, as well as restrictions on recruitment and overtime. The Service's observing programme was significantly reduced during the 1980s, which was somewhat offset by the introduction of automated weather stations and satellites. At this time, Linehan did caution the increased commercialisation of national weather services. During his tenure, the IMS became more involved in emerging Numerical Weather Prediction programmes. As well as his involvement in the World Meteorological Organisation and the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasting, Linehan was involved in the establishment of the European Meteorological Satellite Organisation (EUMETSAT).

Linehan oversaw the 50th anniversary celebrations of the IMS, which included the publication of a book on the history of the Service. He retired in November 1988, and was succeeded by Declan Murphy in 1989, the delay due to the embargo on public service recruitment at the time.

References

  1. ↑ McWilliams, Brendan (4 September 2006). "Weather Eye: Death of a talented aviation forecaster". The Irish Times. p. 20.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 "Donal Linehan: Key figure in the evolution of meteorology in Ireland". The Irish Times. 9 September 2006.
  3. 1 2 Mulcahy, Colm. "Irish Maths/Physics Meteorologists: July 2026". Mathematics Ireland. Retrieved 21 August 2026.
  4. 1 2 Shields, Lisa, ed. (1987). The Irish Meteorological Service: The First Fifty Years 1936-1986. Dublin: The Stationery Office. p. 7. ISBN 0-7076-0030-8.
  5. ↑ "New meteorological service director". The Irish Times. 3 August 1981.
  6. 1 2 Siggins, Lorna (3 September 1986). "Met service in the eye of the storm". The Irish Times. p. 13.
  7. 1 2 McWilliams, Brendan (24 May 2002). "Weather Eye: The past and present Taoisigh of weather". The Irish Times. p. 24.
  8. ↑ Siggins, Lorna (31 August 1987). "The Government now cuts back on the weather". The Irish Times. p. 1.
  9. ↑ Siggins, Lorna (8 December 1986). "Met magicians cast a cold spell". The Irish Times. p. 11.
  10. ↑ McWilliams, Brendan (15 March 2005). "Weather Eye: Heil to the weather service chiefs". The Irish Times. p. 32.
  11. ↑ Siggins, Lorna (5 January 1989). "Proposal to close two weather stations". The Irish Times. p. 10.