Get ready for an unforgettable experience in Banagher! Following the huge success of last year's Blacksmithing Demonstration with James O'Connor, a master of traditional blacksmithing, and Forged in Ireland, we're bringing them back with a bang! This year they will host a variety of skilled blacksmiths and traditional craft experts from all over for a jam-packed weekend filled with the art of forging, blacksmithing skills, competitions, and much more.

At last year’s hugely successful Iron Ore Smelting demonstrations during the That Beats Banagher Festival, the Shannon Iron Smelters were created. This year will again see several clay furnaces pumping out true Banagher iron, with ore from the nearby bogs and possibly from the base of the Shannon! The Furnace Festival takes place next to the amazing blacksmiths of Forged in Ireland who demonstrate the skills involved in modern forging.

Barry Noice is a skilled Irish basket maker who works with traditional weaving techniques to create handcrafted baskets from natural materials. Passionate about preserving traditional craft skills, Barry demonstrates the art of basket making, sharing the techniques, patience and craftsmanship involved in transforming willow and other natural materials into beautiful and functional pieces. Visitors will have the opportunity to meet Barry, watch his work in action and learn more about this enduring rural craft tradition.