This presentation will give an overview of the evidence for the smelting of iron ore and the further forging of the metal in Co. Wicklow over a period of about 2500 years and this in its international setting. Despite rather limited archaeological evidence in the county, the remains of furnaces and forging locations agrees well with the rest of the country. For the 17th and 18th centuries, on the other hand, there is much documentary evidence for the many blast furnaces active in Co. Wicklow. Some, such as the Shillelagh ironworks at Ballard or those at Ballinaclash are relatively well known. Others, near Sally Gap and at Moylisha would be unknown to most historians. During the 19th and 20th centuries, the blacksmith's forges become the dominant production places of iron. While strongly present in the memories of people, the forges have slowly disappeared with only a handful left today.
Paul did doctoral research into late medieval iron production in Ireland and is currently an archaeological metalworking consultant. He is also the founder of the Furnace Festivals of Ireland of which the iron smelting event at Greenan is the latest addition.
