Local Forge

transcribed at

The Local Forge  [duchas:4382768]

The local forge
There are four forges in the parish. The smiths  names are Harris and their are the Mansfields, these three are brothers.
Their people have been blacksmiths before them.
The forges are situated in Kilmeaden, Portlaw, Ballyvalacan, and at the Sweep which is about two miles from Kilmeaden.
They are situated near cross-roads. The forge is a fairly big building which is very long it has a thatched roof. The door is not of any special shape. 
The forge bellows are the shape of a pear. It is about 5 feet high. It has a handle which is pulled up and down, this lights the fire quickly.
The bellows were made locally. The implements that the smith uses are : the anvil, hammer, sledge, pincers, rasp and the bellows.
The smith shoes, horses, and asses but they do not shoe cattle

The Local Forge  [duchas:4382779]

The smith makes spades, shovels, pikes, axes, and makes most parts for the ploughs and harrows.
Some forge work is done in the open air such as binding car wheels. The bind the wheels outside the front of the forge on a special stone as big as a cart-wheel.
There are a lot of local beliefs connected with forge-water. One of them is :- If you have any warts or sores on your hand put your hand into forge-water five times each day for two days, this is said to cure you. 
The are not any beliefs that I know of connected with the sparks that fly from the red iron.
The local smiths had many priviledges at various times.
They usually received a lot of gifts from the people it they allowed them to use the forge-water of other things.
Some smiths are said to have the power to banish certain illnesses but

The Local Forge  [duchas:4382790]

I have not heard of them having the power to banish rats.
Black-smiths are always looked upon as being strong. 
There are not any local traditions or stories connected with the local forges that i know of.
There are centres for storytelling in most forges. In the evening all the local people come and discuss the news of the day.