Hands on: Traditional skills and where to learn them

Blacksmithery

What is it?Making objects from metal by heating it in a forge and then hammering it into shape. Wrought iron was the traditional choice of metal, but it has largely been replaced by mild, or low-carbon, steel.

How is it done?The smith puts the piece of steel into the heart of a coal- or gas-fired forge, to soften, then, once it is hot, takes it out and puts it on an anvil to hammer. The anvil has a flat top and hard edges for flattening and creating angles, plus a horn at one end for creating curves. "When the steel heats up it turns a bright orange-yellow colour. When it goes back to red you'll need to heat it up again. You have to watch that you don't burn it. When this happens the steel starts to spark and will go bright yellow or white before melting," says Colin Highfield, a blacksmith who gives courses in smithery.

How long does it take?It takes only a few minutes to heat the steel and hammer it into a simple shape – and longer to add twists to the design or create more decorative handles. "The trickiest thing for a beginner is what looks the simplest. For example, what's called drawing out, which is putting a point on a flat or round bar with the hammer. It's all about getting used to the hammering techniques and the fire. The more 'complex' things, such as twists and decorations, are easier," says Joe O'Leary, a blacksmith who gives beginner's courses with fellow blacksmith Moss Gaynor (mojometaldesigns.com).

What can you make?Traditionally, a blacksmith made tradesmen's tools and hand-held farm equipment, as well as gates, railings and horseshoes. Nowadays blacksmiths tend to make decorative pieces, such as fireside sets, coat stands, bedsteads, outdoor seats, staircases and indoor and outdoor sculptural pieces. Some blacksmiths still make larger items, such as gates, and repair old wrought-iron gates, railings and staircases.

Where do I sign up?Colin Highfield runs five-day courses at Mayo North Family Heritage Centre (Enniscoe Estate, Castlehill, 096-31809). Joe O'Leary and Moss Gaynor run two-day beginner's courses (May 6th-7th and June 10th-11th) at their forge (Castleview Mills, Clonakilty, Co Cork, joe@mojo metaldesign.com, 087-9170301). Michael Calnan and Gunvor Anhøj run beginner's courses at their forge at Russborough House (Blessington, Co Wicklow, 085-1390222, calnan.anhoj.dk).

Irishblacksmiths.com has information about the Irish Artist Blacksmiths Association and an international blacksmithing festival in Monaghan in June.