⚒️ Fire, Iron & A Little Experimental Chaos!
Forged In Ireland and The Furnace Festivals are delighted to present the third annual Earth, Wind & Fire Festival, returning once again to Triscele Forge in Derryfada, Co. Tipperary.
This isn't your typical blacksmithing event!
Earth, Wind & Fire is an opportunity for smiths, smelters, experimental archaeologists and curious minds to come together, test theories, challenge assumptions and explore the fascinating possibilities of bloomery iron and historical metalworking techniques.
This year, our main focus is on transforming bloomery iron into sheet, wire, steel and wootz, alongside experiments involving clay, tuyères, crucibles, furnace designs and medieval forging methods.
While much of our work is approached from an archaeological perspective, we're not afraid to introduce modern techniques to help us better understand the materials, processes and limitations of historical ironworking.
Some experiments will succeed. Others might produce unexpected results. Either way, we'll learn something! Whether you're an experienced practitioner or simply keen to get involved, there's a place for you around the forge.
Thursday 29th & Friday 30th October Preparation, iron production and planning. These days will focus primarily on producing the bloomery iron required for the weekend's experiments, preparing materials and discussing the various approaches each team intends to take.
Saturday 31st October & Sunday 1st November The main experimental programme begins! Participants can book onto one of our dedicated research teams or join the Floaters, moving between projects and lending a hand wherever needed. Have your own experimental ideas? We'd love to hear them!
Between the Sheets with Rowan Taylor - Bloomery Iron Sheet Production
Rowan's team will investigate the challenges of turning bloomery iron into thin, workable sheet material.
Experiments will explore different methods of consolidating iron, joining sheets and examining how varying layer counts affect the properties of the finished material.
The ultimate goal is to work together to produce an object from the resulting sheet iron.
Current ideas include a medieval riveted cauldron or a shield boss, although we're open to suggestions, and the final outcome will depend on what the experiments reveal.
Join Team Rowan – €50 👉 Book Your Place
Pulling Wire with Jamie - Bloomery Iron Wire Production
Jamie has absolutely no experience with wire drawing, so naturally, he's leading this experiment!
The team will attempt to forge and carburise a bloomery iron drawplate, with a modern drawplate on standby should things get particularly interesting.
We'll then refine and forge bloomery iron into suitable stock for drawing, comparing material produced with no folds against material consolidated through multiple folds.
The challenge? To draw the iron into the finest wire we can manage. Depending on how successful we are, we hope to produce enough material to experiment with early wire jewellery.
We aren't expecting industrial quantities, but we're fairly confident we'll learn something along the way, even if it's just how not to make wire!
All ideas, experience and assistance are very welcome.
Join Team Jamie – €50 👉 Book Your Place
Team Sean: Liquid Iron - Crucible Steel, Irish Wootz & Cast Iron
Sean's team will explore various approaches to producing crucible steel and liquid iron, comparing modern equipment and techniques against more traditional methods.
Experiments will include modern crucibles and gas furnaces alongside charcoal-fired furnaces and handmade clay crucibles.
Using cast iron previously produced from Irish bog ore, the team will also attempt to create Irish Wootz, combining the material with bloomery iron, ferrovanadium and ferrochromium.
Further experiments will investigate liquefying bog iron for casting into jewellery and other small objects.
Molten metal, unusual alloys and experimental metallurgy. What could possibly go wrong?
Join Team Sean – €50 👉 Book Your Place
The Floaters: A Little Bit of Everything! - For the Experimentally Undecided
Can't choose a team? Have your own theories to test? Or just fancy getting involved in absolutely everything? The Floaters are for you!
Move between the various projects, assist the dedicated teams or bring along your own questions and experimental ideas.
There will also be opportunities to explore additional steelmaking processes, including:
Book a Floater Place – €50 👉 Book Your Place
From Bog to Bloom | €200
Alongside our experimental teams, we'll also be running our practical Smelting School for those interested in learning the ancient process of producing iron directly from native ore.
The experience begins with a visit to a local bog, where participants will learn how to locate, identify and test bog iron ore.
From there, you'll explore the construction of a traditional bloomery furnace using historically appropriate methods and materials.
The remainder of the experience will focus on preparing and operating the furnace, reducing our native ore into metallic iron blooms.
A hands-on introduction to traditional iron production, covering the process from raw material to workable metal.
Expect fire, charcoal, mud, hard work and hopefully some lovely Irish iron!
Book Smelting School – €200 👉 Book Your Place
Location
Triscele Forge
Derryfada, Co. Tipperary, Ireland.
Search for Triscele Forge on Google Maps for directions.
Camping & Accommodation
Camping is available from Thursday 29th October through to Monday night, 2nd November.
Campervans are welcome, and there is plenty of space available for tents. Those who prefer to travel light can also find space to crash in one of the sheds.
There are ample covered forging and smelting areas, including sheds and marquees, so the event can continue regardless of what the Irish weather has planned for us.
Food & Facilities
A barbecue and basic kitchen facilities will be available on-site. Participants are welcome to bring their own food and supplies.
Thurles is approximately 10 minutes away, with a selection of restaurants, takeaways and shops.
As is becoming something of a tradition, we'll probably play things by ear over the weekend and chip in together for food where it suits.
To help cover the costs of running the event, we're asking for a €50 donation from participants joining the experimental teams.
The separate Smelting School is priced at €200.
Donations of useful materials, including iron blooms, clay and other experimental supplies, are also very much appreciated.
Places are limited, and advance booking is essential. Please use the individual team booking links above to reserve your place.
🔥 Come and Get Stuck In!
Earth, Wind & Fire is about much more than simply producing iron. It's an opportunity to share knowledge, explore traditional skills, investigate historical techniques and work together to answer questions that don't always have straightforward answers.
You don't need to know everything before you arrive. Curiosity, enthusiasm and a willingness to get your hands dirty are far more important.
Bring your ideas, bring your questions and, if you have any, bring your iron!
We look forward to welcoming everyone back to Triscele Forge for another weekend of fire, friendship and experimental archaeology.