Expert smelters and blacksmiths from around the world will converge on Newtowncrommelin from June 6-9 to revive traditional ironworking skills.
Starting Thursday, blacksmiths, smelters, and volunteers will set up furnaces and prepare for the festival’s activities. The festival officially opens on Friday evening and concludes on Sunday evening.
Two hundred years ago, the founding of Newtowncrommelin village in County Antrim established Glenravel as the centre of iron ore mining in Ireland, playing a crucial role in the industrial revolution. This year’s festival aims to honour that legacy with live iron smelting demonstrations, educational talks, and hands-on workshops.
Visitors will witness iron smelting in action, learn about the area’s iron heritage, and have the opportunity to participate in a programme of immersive demonstrations, walks, talks, and workshops.
Organisers Tenth Glen Heritage Farms have teamed up with the Furnace Festivals of Ireland to bring together expert smelters and blacksmiths from around the globe. These experts are also training apprentices to ensure the festival’s future. The event promises to be a real-life Minecraft experience for fans of the game.
Festival-goers will enjoy a vibrant atmosphere with live music performances at the Skerry Inn, and attendees are encouraged to bring their instruments to join in.
Tenth Glen Heritage Farms is committed to making the festival accessible to all. Most activities are free, with some paid workshops available, including Iron Ore Pigment Making, Create Your Own Goddess with Ceramics, and Sculpture Sandcasting.
This year marks the first time the Furnace Festivals of Ireland team is shifting from organising festivals to supporting communities in setting up and running these events. There will be three Furnace Festivals across Ireland this summer, with the Banagher Furnace Festival in July and the Caherconnell Furnace Festival in August.
For more details about the Festival or to book tickets for individual events, visit tenthglenhf.co.uk/furnace-festival.
