24th – 26th July 2026
Join us at this year's That Beats Banagher Festival for a unique experience with Forged in Ireland, master blacksmiths hosting a Blacksmithing' workshop. Taking place on Friday, July 24th, participants will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the art of blacksmithing under expert guidance.
The annual That Beats Banagher Festival Heritage walk will take place on Friday 24th July starting at The Crank House at 6 p.m. The focus of this year's outing will be Fort Eliza, on the Crank road, the Bridge Barracks and the history of Banagher Bridge.
Enjoy watching Padraig Larkin using ancient Irish straw-making techniques to make baskets and other items of interest. The demo will be free and available for everyone to view.
Discover the skill and craftsmanship of traditional woodworking with Michael Potterton of Fiach Rua Timbercraft. Using hand tools, axe work and age-old techniques, Michael demonstrates the art of shaping timber while showcasing traditional woodworking methods and the ancient craft of Ogham carving.
A special corner of the festival has been created just for our youngest makers! Run by the Forged in Ireland team, children can experience the excitement of cold forging, safely shaping and hammering their own metal creation while discovering the skills of a traditional blacksmith. It's hands-on, creative, and guaranteed to leave little makers with big smiles.
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.
Lorcan Dunne is a Westmeath-based stone carver and sculptor with over twenty years of experience working in architectural stone carving, restoration and sculpture. Working primarily with Irish limestone, Lorcan combines traditional stonemasonry skills with artistic craftsmanship, creating both decorative and sculptural pieces by hand. During his demonstration, visitors can watch the ancient craft of stone carving in action and gain an insight into the skill, patience and precision required to transform raw stone into lasting works of art.
Get ready for an unforgettable experience in Banagher! Following the huge success of last year's Blacksmithing Demonstration Forged in Ireland, will be 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.
A series of small hands-on clay workshops led by artist Michelle Fox, giving visitors the opportunity to create and take home their own clay piece using traditional hand-building techniques and air-dry clay.
Join us for an outdoor movie screening for kids aged 9 and above at Shannon Bank Park on Friday night 24th of July. Bring a blanket or chair and settle in for a fun night under the stars. The movie will be an animated movie. *weather permitting
Discover the skill and craftsmanship of traditional woodworking with Michael Potterton of Fiach Rua Timbercraft. Using hand tools, axe work and age-old techniques, Michael demonstrates the art of shaping timber while showcasing traditional woodworking methods and the ancient craft of Ogham carving
A special corner of the festival has been created just for our youngest makers! Run by the Forged in Ireland team, children can experience the excitement of cold forging, safely shaping and hammering their own metal creation while discovering the skills of a traditional blacksmith. It's hands-on, creative, and guaranteed to leave little makers with big smiles.
festival@thatbeatsbanagher.com
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