Hobby Blacksmiths

thecelt

Is there any blacksmiths out there ?
Or anyone who do it as a hobby?

New Home

Don't know about "hobby" ones, but funnily enough I happened to come across one only yesterday, in Castlebaldwin (on the road from Sligo to Boyle). It's opposite the garage.

thecelt

It seems to be a dying trade.
Would luv to try a few things but no idea where to start

New Home

I know sometimes at country fairs, or at the Museum of Country Life near Castlebar, during some fair day (Heritage day, perhaps? I can't remember) sometimes you find blacksmiths doing demonstrations. Might be worth asking them, if you see them. Otherwise I'm sure someone else from here will reply.

thecelt

Just posting to refresh this.
Is there any blacksmiths or knife makers on here?

New Home

These may also help (depending on what part of the country you're in):

http://irishblacksmiths.com/

https://www.calnan-anhoj.ie/courses/
http://www.lcfe.ie/full_time_courses/blacksmith-iron-craft-bicc/
https://www.9ironscraft.ie/about-us/
http://www.michaelbudd.ie/courses.htm

thecelt

Thanks, am in Kerry

Graces7

thecelt wrote: »

Thanks, am in Kerry

The Traditional Farms at Muckross House used to have a working forge; probably still there and I am sure they would welcome interest.

Rolllo

Try a course or a workshop to see if you like it and get to know the basics. I did one in Galway a few years ago but I dont think the same guy does them anymore. If you've a bit of space you can build a forge from salvaged materials or sometimes you can find them for sale on adverts.ie or donedeal. Check there for anvils and other tools as well. There's loads of blacksmithing channels on youtube and www.anvilfire.com is a great resource. Vaughans (www.anvils.co.uk) have a great selection of tools and equipment, though obviously shipping that kind of heavy stuff from the UK is going to cost a lot.

G-Man

I have always an interest and did a course out in Russborough, beautiful surroundings and great teacher. Full day course went through everything and made you appreciate the hard work and the craft. GOt to use forge, hammers, power hammers and great advise on technique and what we were good at and what we needed to improve.

It was very inspiring, but for me it saked the hunger and I abandoned all interest at the moment to build a forge. It might be just the tonic to presuade you yes this is reallly for me, or yes thanks but thats enough.

Some of her past pupils were working on their projects part time long after the course was over.

kadman

I see plenty of blacksmith tools at the clara boot sale,
going cheap enough. Anvils, tongs, hammers ect.

thecelt

Sounds interesting @kadman wish I wasn't all the way down in South Kerry

Graces7

thecelt wrote: »

Sounds interesting @kadman wish I wasn't all the way down in South Kerry

Did you check out Muckross?

thecelt

The guy from Mucross does one day courses. E150 for a day. Is on my to do list!

Graces7

thecelt wrote: »

The guy from Mucross does one day courses. E150 for a day. Is on my to do list!

OK! I miss the trad farms more than anyone should miss anything..enjoy

New Home

These might be of interest - it's part of Heritage Week.

https://www.heritageweek.ie/whats-on/events?where=&when=&type=&order=title+asc&q=smith