FURNACE FESTIVAL 2022 - Caherconnell Fort, 27-28th August
There seems to be quite a bit of interest in the Festival and because Caherconnell Fort has limited visitor capacity, it is wise to book ahead (Tickets). The entry fees are more than reasonable and no extra charges apply for the Festival. The sheep dog trials by Sean 'dog whisperer' Davoren are highly recommended.
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Thursday 25 – Friday 26 August
Furnace construction, preparation of materials |
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Saturday 27 August
Mainly iron smelting with some iron forging A ‘battery’ of 7-8 small furnaces producing blooms of c. 4kg in two hours, run staggered so a bloom comes out every 45min or so. One or two furnaces to smelt the local siderite nodules. One of these furnaces will be preserved as a future attraction at Caherconnell Fort. |
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Sunday 28 August
Mainly iron forging with some iron smelting Production by blacksmiths of replicas of iron objects recovered during the excavations at Caherconnell Fort by Caherconnell Archaeology Field School |
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Saturday 27 -Sunday 28 August
Continuous free guided tours + Open Air Museum
Free guided tours by Dr Michelle Comber (NUIG) at 11am and 2.30pm
Note: while the Furnace Festival is free, a limited entrance fee to Caherconnell Fort needs to be paid. See https://caherconnell.com/fort/ticket-prices-times/ for details
Continuous free guided tours + Open Air Museum
Free guided tours by Dr Michelle Comber (NUIG) at 11am and 2.30pm
Note: while the Furnace Festival is free, a limited entrance fee to Caherconnell Fort needs to be paid. See https://caherconnell.com/fort/ticket-prices-times/ for details
FURNACE FESTIVAL 2022 - Online Programme, 21st August
Sunday 21 August 2022
From 13.30, online live-streamed event through our Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/caherconnellfurnacefestival, no login required), to include:
Geology and mineral extraction of the Burren Dr Eamon Doyle, 13.45 - 14.05
Caherconnell Cashel, Co. Clare - rulers, farmers, metalworkers, and so much more! Dr Michelle Comber, 14.30 - 15.00
History of iron production in Ireland and the Furnace Festival Dr Paul Rondelez, 15.15 - 15.45
In between the talks:
Forging bloomery iron by Colm Bagnall
Footage of previous Festivals and ore collecting
From 13.30, online live-streamed event through our Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/caherconnellfurnacefestival, no login required), to include:
Geology and mineral extraction of the Burren Dr Eamon Doyle, 13.45 - 14.05
Caherconnell Cashel, Co. Clare - rulers, farmers, metalworkers, and so much more! Dr Michelle Comber, 14.30 - 15.00
History of iron production in Ireland and the Furnace Festival Dr Paul Rondelez, 15.15 - 15.45
In between the talks:
Forging bloomery iron by Colm Bagnall
Footage of previous Festivals and ore collecting
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This event has been funded by The Heritage Council. Further support was received from the Geological Survey of Ireland (Geoheritage grant) and Clare Co. Council/Bord Failte (Festivals and Events grant).
