FURNACE FESTIVAL 2022 - Caherconnell Fort, 27-28th August

A family fun weekend showcasing medieval iron smelting and forging took place on Saturday and Sunday August 27-28th, 2022 at Caherconnell Stone Fort in the heart of the Burren. More than 50 blacksmiths and traditional iron smelters from across Ireland, the UK, Europe and the USA participated in the inaugural Caherconnell International Furnace Festival. The event was funded by The Heritage Council, Geological Survey Ireland (GSI), Discover Ireland and Clare County Council, supported by The Burren and Cliffs of Moher UNESCO Global Geopark. 

Festival Programme 

Thursday  25 – Friday 26 August
​Furnace construction, preparation of materials.

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.

​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

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

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

Caherconnell Furnace Festival 2022 in pictures

2022 Caherconnell Furnace Festival video

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).