Cumann na bhFear (Men’s Shed ) will host blacksmithing demonstrations this weekend as part of Heritage Week.
The demonstrations will take place at the Cumann na bhFear premises at Unit 1B in the Sandy Road Business Park from 6pm to 8pm tomorrow (Friday ); and in front of the Galway City Museum from midday on Saturday.
The ancient and time honoured profession of blacksmithing, the ability to create objects from wrought or malleable iron by forging the metal using tools to hammer, bend, and cut it, has seen an enormous revival over the last few years.
The primary role of Cumann na bhFear, which is modelled on the international Men’s Shed movement, is to encourage retired, working, and unemployed men and women of all ages to help each other develop, learn, and/or teach skills and crafts that can benefit themselves and the wider community. There is a focus on the provision of practical skills whose existence was endangered by modern society, where the ability to make or repair everyday items has been devalued. The members provide courses and workshops on traditional Irish heritage crafts such as woodturning, beekeeping, and mosaic making.
