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13 years celebrating That Beats Banagher Festival
That Beats Banagher Festival is Banagher’s annual celebration of heritage, traditional craftsmanship and community spirit. Now in its 13th year, the festival returns from 24–26 July 2026 with three days of hands-on workshops, live demonstrations, heritage experiences and family entertainment.
At the heart of the festival is the acclaimed Forged in Ireland blacksmithing event, where some of Ireland’s finest blacksmiths, bladesmiths and knifemakers gather to demonstrate their skills. Visitors can watch spectacular live forging demonstrations, enjoy the fast-paced Battle of the Blacksmiths, the exciting Golden Anvil Challenge, and a thrilling chopping competition where makers put their handcrafted blades to the test. Jamie will also lead an adult bladesmithing workshop, giving participants the opportunity to forge their own blade while learning the traditional skills and science of heat treating.
Alongside the blacksmithing, Keith Armitage and the Shannon Iron Smelters will once again bring ancient iron-making back to life with fascinating iron ore smelting demonstrations. Using traditional clay furnaces and locally sourced ore, visitors can watch the entire process of producing iron as it would have been done centuries ago, celebrating Banagher’s historic connection with ironworking.
The festival also features an outstanding programme of traditional craft demonstrations from some of Ireland’s finest artisans. Michelle Bell will host hands-on clay workshops where participants can create their own decorative pieces and festival keepsakes using traditional hand-building techniques. Lorcan Dunne, an experienced stone carver and sculptor, will demonstrate the ancient craft of transforming Irish limestone into beautiful carved works by hand.
Visitors can also meet Michael Potterton of Fiach Rua Timbercraft, who will showcase traditional woodworking, axe work and the ancient art of Ogham carving, while Pádraig Larkin will demonstrate traditional Irish straw craft, creating baskets and other beautiful handcrafted items using age-old techniques. Basket maker Barry Noyce will demonstrate the traditional skills of willow weaving, offering visitors a fascinating insight into one of Ireland’s enduring rural crafts.
Young visitors can discover their own creativity in the popular Junior Blacksmith Corner, run by the Forged in Ireland team, where children can safely experience cold forging and create their own metal keepsake.
The festival also celebrates Banagher’s rich history. Local historian James Scully will lead the annual Heritage Walk, exploring Fort Eliza, the Bridge Barracks and Banagher Bridge, while also hosting a pop-up bookshop featuring local history publications and other titles.
Families can relax at the Saturday evening outdoor family cinema in Banagher Park, and spend the weekend exploring a vibrant celebration of heritage, creativity and community.
Whether you’re passionate about traditional skills, fascinated by history, keen to try a new craft or simply looking for a memorable family day out, That Beats Banagher Festival offers a unique opportunity to meet Ireland’s talented craftspeople, learn from expert makers and experience living heritage in the heart of Banagher.
