A huge thank you to everyone who came to see the members of Forged in Ireland in action at the Ballina Heritage Day. 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!
We were absolutely delighted by the number of visitors who stopped by. There were lots of questions, conversations and fascinating chats about blacksmithing, bloomery smelting, iron making and traditional forge work. One of the highlights was seeing the reaction from younger visitors, many of whom were amazed to discover that their Minecraft experience has a very real counterpart - from smelting ore to forging glowing metal by hand. Watching those connections click into place was fantastic!
Our demonstrations covered a wide range of traditional metalworking throughout the day. Alongside the forge, Eva's silversmithing demonstrations gave visitors a chance to see the precision and artistry involved in working precious metals, while Brian's casting demonstrations showcased the fascinating process of transforming molten metal into finished pieces.
Ballina Heritage Day itself was exceptionally well organised. The management team and volunteers deserve enormous credit for the smooth running of the event, the excellent facilities and the warm welcome extended to exhibitors and visitors alike. The town was alive with an incredible range of heritage and craft stalls, demonstrations and displays, and we were genuinely proud to be part of such a high-quality celebration of traditional skills and Irish heritage.
From basket weaving and wood turning to thatching, music, dance and vintage machinery, every street seemed to offer something new to discover. The atmosphere was vibrant, friendly and full of community spirit - exactly what a heritage festival should be.
Thank you again to everyone who visited, asked questions, shared stories and spent time around the forge. We've come away exhausted, a little sunburnt, thoroughly smoke-scented… and already looking forward to the next one!
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