WELCOME TO FORGED IN IRELAND

Welcome to Forged In Ireland, a passionate not for profit association dedicated to preserving and advancing the art of traditional metal crafts across the country.

Our group is a collective of skilled craftsmen and women, spanning all levels of expertise from enthusiastic beginners to seasoned professionals. We come together with a shared goal: to foster a vibrant hub where information, support, and appreciation for various metalworking disciplines thrive.

The members of Forged In Ireland regularly get together to demonstrate the art of smithing, share skills, forge and of course have an odd pint!

To see where we're meeting up next, watch videos and see photos from previous events take a look at our Events Calendar

If you're interested in pursuing blacksmithing, or a related craft give us a shout through the contact page and we'll help you as best as we can.

Group photo of members of Forged In Ireland

Fethard Annual Heritage Festival

This year, Forged In Ireland was proud to be part of the Fethard Annual Heritage Festival, bringing the fire, skill, and craftsmanship of traditional blacksmithing to life!

A huge thank you to the Fethard Festivals team, the Heritage Council, and Tipperary Co. Council for their hospitality and support in making this event such a success.

Special thanks to RowanTaylor for his incredible demonstration of a socketed spear head and his help with the Golden Anvil Challenge - which tested our smiths to their limits.

The Golden Anvil competition this year was to forge a replica of a Roman Fibula brooch - under the instruction of Rowan, our smiths were challenged to by the fine details and with the design having to match an example - there was no 'winging it'! The competition challenged the smiths patience and dexterity working on such a small scale where every millimeter counted.

The 'Golden Anvil' was a true test of skills and was won by Robert O Grady.

Thanks also to McCarthy’s Pub for keeping us hydrated throughout the weekend! 🍻

Latest News & Events

In Hand Forum

19-21st September 2025

3 days of workshops and talks exploring heritage skills and local knowledge.
Steel Bangers 2025

13th-14th September 2025

Get ready for two days of sparks, skill, and serious craic at Steel Bangers 2025! Hosted in the covered Ennis Market Building, in Co. Clare. With many blacksmiths demonstrating and competing in competitions along with other crafts.
Fethard Annual Heritage Festival

23-24th August, 2025

This year, Forged In Ireland is proud to be part of the Fethard Annual Heritage Festival, bringing the fire, skill, and craftsmanship of traditional blacksmithing to life!
Join us as our expert blacksmiths showcase the time-honoured techniques of the forge, shaping red-hot metal into stunning works of art. Watch live demonstrations of forging, hammering, and metalworking, giving you a glimpse into this centuries-old craft.
Bronze Age Spear Casting Experience

16th-18th August 2025

Join us for this three day class, where you will learn to craft an early Bronze-Age spear using historical and primitive technologies! Skilled instructors Rowan Taylor and Clare Collier will guide you through each step of the process, from carving the soapstone mold to casting and cold-working the bronze, to shaping, straightening and fitting the shaft.
The Chain Breaker Forgy

10th August 2025

Get ready for an unforgettable day at the Moynalty Steam Threshing Festival — where tradition roars to life! Don’t miss the Forged In Ireland Blacksmith Demonstrations, showcasing the raw power and artistry of traditional forging. Plus, experience the adrenaline of the Forged In Ireland Chain Making Competition.
Battle of the Blacksmiths 2025

25-27th July 2025

Forged in Ireland visit the 'That Beats Banagher Festival' for the third year to show off traditional blacksmith skills, smelt local bog iron and host the annual 'Battle of the Blacksmiths'.
Ballina Heritage Day 2025

16th July 2025

Displays of Blacksmithing, Sand Casting, Iron Smelting and Repoussé in Copper at the amazing Ballina Salmon Festival.
The Whats the Story Forgy

5th-6th July 2025

Forged in Ireland promoting metal craft to the public at the Flavours of Fingal County Fair with smelting and blacksmith demonstrations and educational talks - firing up the forge and bringing the sights, sounds, and smells of traditional blacksmithing to Newbridge House & Farm.
Earth, Wind and Fire Furnace Festival

27-29th June 2025

Following the success of last year’s event, members of Forged in Ireland and FurnaceFestival.ie will continue their research into medieval iron smelting, steelmaking, and forging.
Glenravel International Furnace Festival

31st May - 1st June 2025

Join the Tenth Glen Heritage Farm for this amazing opportunity to reclaim your ancestral skills. An event to inspire the curious, induct the newcomer, light a fire under the amateur, provide a stage for the hobbyist, an audience for the professional and eager apprentices for the masters of the crafts.
Bord Bia Bloom - Festival of Flowers, Food and Family Fun

29th May - 2nd June 2025

See the members of IABA (Irish Artists Blacksmith Association) in action at this horticultural festival.
Festival of Metals

24-25th May 2025

Renowned researchers and craftspeople will share their skills and knowledge at Butser Ancient Farm on the weekend of 24 and 25 May 2025. Demonstrations of various metalworkers will take place while national and international researchers are presenting big-picture overviews of their findings. In-depth talks on the history of metal objects next to the creation of ‘metal art’.
Leeside Forge-in 150mm Challenge

29-30th March 2025

This year’s theme? You guessed it - the 150mm Challenge! On the day, you'll get a 150mm long piece of 20mm square steel - and the creative world is your oyster! The only rule? No extra material. That’s right, no welding bits on - just pure craftsmanship and ingenuity.
Caherconnell Furnace Festival 2024

24th August 2024

Join us for the estemed Caherconnell Furnace Festival on the last weekend in August for a lovely bit of smelting!
Battle of the Blacksmiths 2024

26-28th July 2024

Forged in Ireland visit the 'That Beats Banagher Festival' - for our second visit to this beautiful location.
Ballina Salmon Festival

27th June 2024

The Forged In Ireland Craic Squad were proud to attend the Ballina Heritage Day, part of the Ballina Salmon Festival displaying a small part of the wide range of our members skills.
Across the Pond Forgy

25-27th March 2024

Our first International Forgy!! An exchange of smelting and smithing skills and knowledge with our UK brethren, and maybe a few jars!
Banging in Bally Part 3

4th August 2023

A massive thanks to the people of Ballylongford for making us welcome for the 3rd year in a row.
Battle of the Blacksmiths 2023

15-16th July 2023

Forged in Ireland visit the 'That Beats Banagher Festival' to show off traditional skills and smelt local bog iron.

Latest News

Level 2 Certificate in Forgework

September 2025

City & Guilds Level 2 Certificate in Forgework. The course covers a wide range of areas related to the skills and knowledge required for progressing to further learning and training in Forgework, Blacksmithing or Farriery. The course runs one day a week (Wednesday) during the academic year from September 2025.
Beginners Blacksmithing Skills Course
Learn valuable skills to start you on your journey in blacksmithing with these 2 day beginner courses at the Limerick School of Blacksmithing. All courses are fully funded. Places are limited, so get in early!
FII New Site with Membership Area
The new Forged In Ireland site is alive!
Forged in Ireland on the Telly!
The 'Battle of the Blacksmiths 2023' was featured on the news on Irelands national broadcaster RTE!
Tik Tok Famous!
Pint of Plane made us Tik Tok famous!

Some of our Members

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