Forging History: Workshop in Traditional Metalwork Making the Pikes and Rockets of United Irishmen Uprisings

A day-long public workshop and demonstration at TOG Hackerspace (tog.ie) in Inchicore, will demonstrate and teach traditional blacksmithing techniques associated with the uprisings of the United Irishmen and Robert Emmet.

Heritage blacksmith Fínín Liam Christie will demonstrate traditional forge work, including setting and maintaining the fire, controlling heat with bellows, shaping hot metal, joining and finishing components, tempering and cooling, and preparing metal elements for mounting, showing how similar techniques relate to the historical objects of the uprisings.

The event will combine live demonstration with supervised participation. Between five and ten participants can take part directly in selected stages of the process under close supervision and with appropriate safety measures in place. A wider audience of 20 to 30 people can observe without hands-on work.

The event will be documented by a professional videographer. Following the workshop, Tog Hackerspace will produce and publish a captioned edited video and short online interpretation resource for public access through the TOG Hackerspace website and social media channels in time to coincide with Culture Night on 18 September and commemorations of Robert Emmet's execution on 20 September.

In the evening, TOG Hackerspace will host its Open Social Night showing its craft and technology projects produced by the volunteer community of members. Along with pizza made fresh and cooked onsite, the outputs of the workshop will be on display, giving visitors a chance to see what was made, talk to participants, and hear first-hand about the skills demonstrated and the experience of taking part.

Attendees should be 18 or over.
Everybody attending needs to comply with the instructions of the safety officers at all times.
Parking is available on-site.
Kylemore LUAS stop (red line) is 5 mins' walk away.
Our site is next to a Mister Price convenience store, 5 mins' walk from the Kylemore McDonald's and we have our own tea, coffee, soft drinks and sweets in our on-site tuck shop.
We will be making and serving pizzas onsite at the Open Social after the event, which you are welcome to attend.