School: Knockcommon (roll number 16549)

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1. Local Forges (continued)

   

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   bellows enters the wall by means of a hole in the wall. By constant moving up and down of the handle the fire is blown. The bellows was not made locally.
   The implements the smith uses are: sledges, hammers, an anvil, knives, a drilling machine and others. The smith shoes horses, asses etc. He makes harrows, gates and other implements. He also repairs all kinds of implements.
   When shoeing a horse the smith first of all gets ready the fire by blowing the huge bellows. The wind then comes out the pipe of the bellows with a roar. As it blows the coals on the fire they grow red, then they grow redder until they are finally white hot. When the fire is bright the iron is put in among the coals and kept there until it too becomes all in a glow with heat. Then the smith takes it out with a pair of tongs, and puts it on the anvil. As it lies on the anvil the blacksmith strikes it hard with a heavy hammer. By the putting the iron in the fire it

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   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

   Rita Gallagher

   Gender

   Female

   Address

   Knockcommon, Co. Meath