The Caherconnel International Furnace Festival 2025
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Support the Caherconnel International Furnace Festival: Help Us Keep the Fire Burning!
We are Irish Bloomery Iron, the organisers of The Caherconnel Furnace Festival on the 23-24 August 2025. We need your support to keep our beloved festival going.
The Caherconnel International Furnace Festival is a one-of-a-kind celebration of ancient craft and experimental archaeology, bringing together iron smelters and history enthusiasts from all over the globe. It’s a unique festival where we dive deep into the fascinating process of iron smelting, learn ancient techniques, make long lasting friendships and discover the rich history of this craft—while having a lot of fun along the way!
Why should you donate?
- Celebrating Ancient Craft: Iron smelting is an ancient art that dates back thousands of years, and the Caherconnel International Furnace Festival is one of the few places where you can experience it first hand. Your donation helps preserve this historic tradition, allowing future generations to learn about and participate in these vital techniques.
- Hands-On Learning: At our festival, Students will have the unique opportunity to work side by side with iron smelters and experts, learning how to smelt iron using ancient methods. This is more than just a demonstration—it’s a true hands-on experience, offering an educational adventure that you won’t find anywhere else.
- Fostering Global Community: Our festival attracts iron smelters from across the world, creating a space where people can come together, share knowledge, and celebrate the universal bond of craftsmanship. By donating, you’re helping create a global community that connects through shared passion and respect for ancient techniques.
- Promoting Experimental Archaeology: We teach the art of experimental archaeology—living history that allows participants to experience ancient technologies as they were originally used. It’s an incredible way to connect with the past and your donation helps us pay for the equipment and materials needed to teach people who are eager to learn.
- Fun and Adventure: We believe learning should be fun! The festival is not just educational—it’s an exciting and adventurous experience. From Smelting Demonstrations to Paid hands-on workshops, we bring history to life in a way that’s engaging and enjoyable for all ages.
Why start a GoFundMe this year as opposed to previous years?
As of 2025 The Caherconnel International Furnace Festival is being organised by Irish Bloomery Iron (a small business owned by Gwilym Stanley and Alan Doyle), with the help of Saul Forged and The Irish Iron Heritage Foundation CLG.
- In previous years The Irish Iron Heritage Foundation CLG which is a registered Charity organised and funded the festival with the help of government grants
- Irish Bloomery Iron is a Limited Company which means we are not eligible for the same grants.
With your support, we can continue to offer this unique opportunity to history enthusiasts, iron smelting experts, and curious learners from around the world.
Your donation: will help us fund Insurance, fuel, materials, PPE for volunteers and ensure the festival’s future for years to come.
Join us in keeping the fire of ancient craft alive and expanding the reach of the Caherconnel International Furnace Festival. Every contribution, no matter how big or small, helps make this incredible event possible.
Donate today and help us teach the world the Ancient art of Iron Smelting! Thank you for your support and for reading!
Organizer
Irish Bloomery Iron
Organizer