22nd June 1938
The Forges in my District

There are three forges in my district Tommy Redicans Patrick Gaffneys and John Connells. A forge is a place where horses are shod ploughs are made and loys(?) mended and turfspades made. There is a big block in the floor and a metal anvil placed on top where the red irons are hammered into the different shapes which the blacksmith wants them for.There is also a bellows for lighting up the fire and a shoeing box where the hammer and nails and rasp are kept. There is coal used for the fire.The nearest forge to one in Rathmullen is Patrick Gaffney's. There is a stream beside the forge for giving horses drinks and for cooling the irons. There is a cement trough of water inside in the forge in Ballymote.