In January 2010 Cunningham became known for his choice of hat which , according to the journalist himself via Twitter , is from " Pakistan 's tribal areas " . He wore the hat during a live television news report for RTÉ outside Government Buildings during the January 2010 weather emergency in Europe . The hat has been described variously as a “ woolly pancake ” , an “ Aran Smurf ’s hat ” and “ stylish , in a French pastry kind of way ” . A Facebook group dedicated to the hat had more than one thousand fans within hours of the hat 's television debut . Observers noted that Cunningham 's hat did indeed resemble a pakul , a traditional men 's hat worn in the Chitral and Gilgit regions of Pakistan . Some of these fans met up outside Government Buildings wearing their own hats in a similar manner . RTÉ.ie even referenced the hat in their own weather updates . The hat was auctioned for GOAL on radio programme '' Mooney '' on January 21 , 2010 to raise funds for the 2010 Haiti earthquake appeal : the hat was purchased after some " frenzied bidding " for € 570 by a member of " We love Paul Cunningham 's winter hat " Facebook society . Cunningham had responded after Derek Mooney said he would auction his own jumper on air
2010 Haiti earthquake
2010 Haiti earthquake
Paul Cunningham (journalist)