Location of Forge today

Michael Matthew ‘Mickie Matt‘ McGrath’s owned the forge; he was a blacksmith and learned his trade in Caherfeenick (near Doonbeg Golf Course). The forge on the Kilrush Road was established 1920s. He mainly shoed horses and ponies, but he also mended iron wheels for the trap/cart.

The photo “Jamesy Downes and Paddy McGrath putting a band on a wheel also known as shoeing the wheel” shows this really well.

He would light a fire around the wheel stone down by the river as the picture shows. The iron wheel hoop was around the stone and it would heat until hot enough to mould and put back on the wheel.

The original stone for shoeing the wheels used in the forge can be found in the green area beside the river. This is all that remains of the forge.

His son Paddy McGrath took over the running of the forge and continued until the era of the tractor, c1975.

Two of the Moloney’s of Derryard, and cousins of the blacksmith, emigrated to America in the 1890s and became the forefathers of Mike Pence (former Vice President of USA).

The Forge

Paddy McGrath & Mikey Griffin in the forge.

Jamesy Downes and Paddy McGrath putting a band on a wheel also known as shoeing the wheel.

Illustration of The Forge from Doonbeg, ‘A Story To Tell’ by Joe Hurley published 1995.

Paddy McGrath shoeing a horse.