Dunmore farmer’s mission to reinvigorate our sleep

Health, Beauty and Lifestyle with Denise McNamara

When he was a young lad, Michael Burke learned how to hand shear the sheep by hand from his father on their farm in Dunblaney, Dunmore.  As a reward for his hard work, his father gifted him a pillow made from the wool he had shorn.

“That was the best pillow I ever had. It was just the right amount of support, and because it’s a natural fibre it regulates temperature. I didn’t realise all that back then, I just loved that pillow.”

Michael went on to study agricultural science and graduated in analytical chemistry. He spent more than 25 years in the healthcare sector developing slow-release medications.

His work led him to really appreciate the positive impact that a good night’s sleep can have on daily life.

That pillow served as a daily reminder of his fond memories working on the farm, sleeping soundly on it, night after night.

Hanging up his lab coat and returning to farming at Dunblaney House, the old Archbishop of Tuam’s residence, Michael converted the farm to an organic operation, harvesting organic oats for Flahavans, rearing organic sheep and Aubrac suckler cows.

At a time when the price for wool was at an all-time low – leading many farmers to store it rather than selling it as they had for generations – he decided to create a new product – Woolow, pillows with organic wool.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

Connacht Tribune Digital Edition App

Download the Connacht Tribune Digital Edition App to access to Galway’s best-selling newspaper.

Click HERE to download it for iPhone and iPad from Apple’s App Store, or HERE to get the Android Version from Google Play.

Or purchase the Digital Edition for PC, Mac or Laptop from Pagesuite  HERE.

Get the Connacht Tribune Live app
The Connacht Tribune Live app is the home of everything that is happening in Galway City and county. It’s completely FREE and features all the latest news, sport and information on what’s on in your area. Click HERE to download it for iPhone and iPad from Apple’s App Store, or HERE to get the Android Version from Google Play.