School: Ceannanus Mór, Scoil na mBráthar

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1. The Smith and the Forge

   

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   In this parish of Kells there are many forges both big, and little. It is on the forge which is in Fordstown I am going to write. It is owned by a man named Mr. Connor and is situated at a cross-roads. It is a small forge about fourteen feet high, sisteen feet long, and twelve feet in breadth. The roof is made of wood, and the walls are made of wood also. When the fire is, it is made of stone. The bellows which the smith uses in blowing the fire is very big. He has an anvel and a lot of tools. He shoes horses, and asses. He also mends ploughs, gates, spades, and many other implements. There is a story told that a journeyman one time who came into this forge loocking for a job. The man of the forge asked him could he do handywork. The man said he could and asked for a piece of steel. He got the steel, and after having softned it in the fire he beat it out on the anvel into the shape of a razor. He tempered, and stroped it and handed it back to the smith who shaved himself with it.

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   Topics

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

   Language

   English

   Collector

   Michael Timmons

   Gender

   Male

   Address

   Fordstown or Ballaghboy, Co. Meath

   Informant

   Patrick Timmons

   Gender

   Male

   Age

   50

2. The Smith and the Forge

   

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   There are three forges in this town. The most important one is Patrick Gibney's. His forge is situated in Suffolk St. Patrick's father was a blacksmith before him. The most important articles he makes are gates, horse shoes, railings and many other iron implements. The door of the forge is not shaped like a horse shoe, it is a just a plain door. He has'nt to do as much work as he used to do on account of the new machinery. Kit Mc Cabe's father was the only man who made a plough during his time in Kells. The trade was'nt kept on by his son except for a short time. He made mowing machines

   

   Transcribed by a member of our volunteer transcription project.

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