FURNACE FESTIVAL
  • The Festivals
    • Glenravel International Furnace Festival
    • Derryfadda Festival
    • Banagher Furnace Festival
    • Caherconnell Furnace Festival
    • Greenan Furnace Festival
  • From Ore to Object
  • Previous festivals
    • Caherconnell 2023
    • Caherconnell 2022 >
      • The Festival
      • Caherconnel Fort
      • Geology and minerals of the Burren
    • Online Global Festival 2020
    • Woodford 2019
    • Woodford 2018
  • Smelting reports
  • Support Festivals
  • Contact

FROM ORE TO OBJECT

1.BOG IRON ORE

Iron is made from iron ore. In Ireland, the best ore is found in bogs and is very rich in iron. Out of 30kg of bog iron ore about 10kg of iron can be made.

2.CHARCOAL

3. CLAY FURNACE

4.IRON SMELTING

The iron ore is smelted with charcoal in a clay shaft, the furnace. After about 4 hours the iron is ready to leave the furnace. It comes out as a big lump known as a 'bloom'.

5.IRON BLOOM

The iron bloom first needs to be forged into a bar. This bar can then be forged into any object. The bloomery iron is a unique product from which blacksmiths can make a multitude of objects.

6. IRON SMITHING

7. IRON OBJECTS

The Festival
Become a Friend of the Festival
Previous Festivals
From Ore to Object
Contact
Picture
We regularly post updates and announcement on our Facebook page where you can see more posts and photos from the Furnace Festival.

​Do want to find out more?
​Do not hesitate to contact us!
​
[email protected]

The Furnace Festivals website is maintained by the Irish Iron Heritage Foundation CLG, a registered charity in Ireland. Registered number 712657. Registered office: Walton Grove, Coolyhane Road, Macroom, County Cork, P12 AW05. Directors: Paul Rondelez, Colm Bagnall, Eamonn Doyle and William Prentice. Registered charity number: 20206543. CHY number: 23185.
Copyright © Furnace Festival 2025
  • The Festivals
    • Glenravel International Furnace Festival
    • Derryfadda Festival
    • Banagher Furnace Festival
    • Caherconnell Furnace Festival
    • Greenan Furnace Festival
  • From Ore to Object
  • Previous festivals
    • Caherconnell 2023
    • Caherconnell 2022 >
      • The Festival
      • Caherconnel Fort
      • Geology and minerals of the Burren
    • Online Global Festival 2020
    • Woodford 2019
    • Woodford 2018
  • Smelting reports
  • Support Festivals
  • Contact