Forge-Ins
Throughout the year we hold 'Forge-Ins' around Ireland where we gather to display and share our love for smithing. These can be hosted by towns, craft fairs and heritage events and sometimes by members of the group.
The events vary in size and can inlcude blacksmithing competitions, talks and demonstrations, and stalls for members.
Occasionally we'll have longer events with camping when we enjoy a few drinks around the campfire and swap some stories, tips and tricks. You can take a look at previous events on our YouTube channel.
Forged In Ireland Event
Non-Forged In Ireland Event
Upcoming Events
Steel Bangers 2026
12th-13th September 2026
Ennis, Co. Clare
Get ready for two days of sparks, skill, and serious craic at Steel Bangers 2026! Hosted in the covered Ennis Market Building, in Co. Clare. With many blacksmiths demonstrating and competing in competitions along with other crafts.
100th Fethard Heritage Festival
16th August 2026
Fethard, Co. Tipperary
Forged In Ireland returns to Fethard for the 2026 Centenary Festival, bringing the heat, noise, and skill of traditional blacksmithing into the heart of the celebrations. Expect live forging, hands-on craft, and a rare chance to see Ireland’s heritage of ironwork brought vividly to life.
Previous Events
Ballina Heritage Day 2026
15th July 2026
Ballina, Co. Mayo
A huge thank you to everyone who came to see Forged in Ireland in action. Despite the sweltering heatwave conditions, the forge was running full tilt all day - and with the added heat from the forges and smelting furnace, it was certainly one of the hottest demonstrations we’ve ever done!
Flavours of the Forge 2026
4th-5th July 2026
Fingal, Co. Dublin
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.
The First Norn Iron Forgy
30-31st May 2026
Glenravel Farm
What a weekend it was at the first `Nordy Forgy` at the Glenravel International Furnace Festival! There was something for everyone with smelting and the Forged In Ireland team demonstrating forge and smithing skills.
Leeside Forgy 2026
28-29th March 2026
Lane Business Park, Monaghan Road, Cork
Join the great guys of IABA from Leeside Forge for a weekend of forging and smithing. This years theme is `Vessels`.
In Hand Forum
19-21st September 2025
Greenan Maze, Rathdrum - Co. Wicklow
3 days of workshops and talks exploring heritage skills and local knowledge.
Steel Bangers 2025
13th-14th September 2025
Ennis, Co. Clare
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
Fethard, Co. Tipperary
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! Read more and watch the video and see the gallery.
Bronze Age Spear Casting Experience
16th-18th August 2025
Derryfada, Co. Tipperary
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 2025
10th August 2025
Moynalty, Kells, Co. Meath
Fire met steam in Moynalty this August as Forged in Ireland returned to the Moynalty Steam Threshing Festival for a weekend that was loud, competitive and unforgettable. Surrounded by working vintage machinery and record festival crowds, the focus was simple: who could forge the best - and strongest - set of three chain links?
Battle of the Blacksmiths 2025
25-27th July 2025
Banagher, Co. Offaly
The heat was on in Banagher this July as Forged in Ireland returned for the third year to host the Battle of the Blacksmiths as part of the That Beats Banagher Festival. Set along the banks of the Shannon, the ring of anvils and roar of forges once again drew a strong crowd, eager to watch traditional skills tested under pressure.
Ballina Heritage Day 2025
16th July 2025
Ballina, Co. Mayo
Displays of Blacksmithing, Sand Casting, Iron Smelting and Repoussé in Copper at the amazing Ballina Salmon Festival.
The Whats the Story Forgy 2025
5th-6th July 2025
Fingal, Co. Dublin
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
Triscele Forge, Derryfada, Co. Tipperary
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
Newtowncrommelin, Co. Antrim
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
Phoenix Park, Dublin
See the members of IABA (Irish Artists Blacksmith Association) in action at this horticultural festival.
Festival of Metals
24-25th May 2025
Butser Ancient Farm, Hampshire, UK
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
Lane Business Park, Monaghan Road, Cork
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
Caherconnell
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
Banagher, Co. Offaly
Forged in Ireland visit the 'That Beats Banagher Festival' - for our second visit to this beautiful location.
Ballina Salmon Festival
27th June 2024
Ballina, Co. Mayo
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
Hereford, UK
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
Ballylongford, Co. Kerry
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
Banagher, Co. Offaly
Forged in Ireland visit the 'That Beats Banagher Festival' to show off traditional skills and smelt local bog iron.