School: Portlaoighse (Convent) (roll number 13386)

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1. Local Forges (continued)

   

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   conversations, he never stopped working to do so.
   The smiths used all dress alike. They used wear a dark shirt and trousers over which was worn a leather apron, they never wore a coat while at work. They used work with their shirt-sleeves turned up above their elbows.
   The forge was generally an old tin shed, inside which was a big fire where the smith heated his irons. He used use a bellows to blow the fire, an anvil on which he put the hot irons which were to be shapen or stricken, a ploughshare on the anvil to bend the iron, a tongs to hold the iron, a spike to make holes.
   His principal work was the making of horse-shoes, and the shoeing of horses; he used also make ploughs, harrows, rakes, gates and other iron instruments. He used also act as dentist if a horse had a bad tooth.
   In the evenings the neighbouring men used come into the forge and gather round the big fire to tell stories. When they would tire of this they used play cards and toss money. Son in this way the forge became a place of gambling.
   Everyone had great love and respect for the smith whom they looked on as a mighty man

   

   Transcribed by a member of our volunteer transcription project.

   History Edit

   Topics

   1. activities
      1. economic activities
         1. trades and crafts (~4,680)
            1. smithing (~2,389)

   Language

   English

   Collector

   Nancy Delany

   Gender

   Female

   Address

   Port Laoise, Co. Laois

   Informant

   Miss Phelan

   Gender

   Female

   Address

   Port Laoise, Co. Laois