Meet Our Handlers
The People Behind the Magic
Michael Crowe
Founder of Irish Working Sheepdogs, Michael has spent over 40 years training and working with Border Collies. His knowledge, skill, and passion for farming have been passed down through generations. Visitors are captivated not only by the dogs’ incredible ability, but also by Michael’s storytelling and his dedication to keeping Ireland’s rural traditions alive.
Michael has been training sheepdogs since his love for them stretches back as far as he can remember. Growing up in farming life, he learned the art of farming and stockmanship from his three bachelor relatives – an experience that shaped his lifelong passion for working with sheep and dogs alike Today, Michael continues to farm the same land, combining generations of farming knowledge with his remarkable sheepdog training skills. His deep connection with his dogs, keen understanding of sheep, and masterful whistling techniques have made him a respected figure in the world of Irish working sheepdogs
Denis Birchall
Denis works alongside Michael, bringing his own experience and enthusiasm to every demonstration. His calm handling and deep respect for the dogs make him an integral part of the team. Denis helps ensure each visitor leaves with a true appreciation of the bond between farmer, dog, and land.
Denis plays a vital role in our sheepdog demonstrations. A renowned sheepdog handler and shepherd, Denis has dedicated his life to mastering his craft. Over the years, he has won hundreds of competitions and judged events worldwide, earning widespread respect within the sheepdog community. With a lifetime of experience, Denis’s knowledge of dogs and sheep is unparalleled. His expertise and passion bring a unique depth and authenticity to every demonstration he participates in.
Meet Lisa
Lisa is married to Michael and has been on the journey of Irish working sheepdogs from the very beginning. While Lisa doesn’t whistle, she offers every guest a big, heartfelt welcome. Behind the scenes, Lisa looks after the bookings, emails, administration and accounts, ensuring everything runs smoothly for visitors.
She also introduced The Woolshed as part of the experience — a charming little shop that showcases locally made Irish products. It is full of Irish wool products, scarves, hats, handmade soaps, local honey, local artist cards, to name but a few. It has been important to both Lisa and Michael for guests to be able to buy Irish and allow them to bring a little piece of Ireland home with them.
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