Michael Calnan & Gunvor Anhøj

The Courses We offer a range of courses throughout the year in a relaxed and supportive atmosphere set in the beautiful grounds of Russborough House. Courses are aimed at the novice, as well as being suitable for those with some experience of basic forging who wish to improve. Using a traditional coke-hearth, hammer and anvil, you will try most of the techniques of the craft, via a range of well-designed exercises. Courses are restricted to a maximum of four places, so that plenty of one to one time can be spent with each student.

The Tutor Gunvor Anhøj is originally Danish and one of few female blacksmiths. She was awarded by the Worshipful Company of Blacksmiths for “Outstanding ability in the craft of the Blacksmith” and has run many courses over the years along side her sculpture practice.

The Forge was set up in 2009 and is located inside the most westerly courtyard of the Russborough Demesne. Not far from the site of the original Blacksmiths Workshop, it provides an excellent and atmospheric facility. It is a working forge, projects are constantly on the go, sculptural as well as traditional, and you will get a real sense of how a modern day blacksmith operates.

Courses take place on Saturdays between 10-17 The course-fee is €100 pr participant. This includes all materials and refreshments. Lunch can be purchased at the Kitchen Garden Café at Russborough House, a three-minute walk from the forge. Alternatively bring your own pack lunch, the grounds at Russborough provides a great setting for a picnic.

Accomodation I recommend staying at Bridge Meadows Bed & Breakfast, run by Pat & Lilly O´Reilly. Lilly is a tour guide at Russborough House. More local accomodation can also be found on the Russborough website.

Gift Vouchers Available Our courses are popular presents and your friend, dad, husband or aunt is guaranteed a day which quite likely will be different from anything they have done before. The nature and intensity of the craft draws everybody in and as the day progresses each will have made a few mistakes (including the tutor!) but have also achieved more than they thought possible. This creates a great atmosphere within the group, and to me it is a joy to see how trying something so out of context with your everyday life, gives renewed energy and inspiration.

To purchase a Voucher please contact me and I will post you a voucher and leaflet in return for full payment, €100, by cheque or postal order (please refer to payment information below) The voucher number should be quoted on the booking form, when a choice of course is made by the receiver.

I found the time I spent at the forge to be both relaxing and exhilarating, and the satisfaction I gained from making a physical object surpassed any I could hope for from my day job (I work in the IT industry) I would recommend to any office worker a day working with blacksmiths whose job it is to encourage you to hit things!
David De Roach

Booking and payment Courses take place on Saturdays between 10-17. The course-fee is €100 pr participant. For groups of 4 we can tailor make a course to your needs. Group bookings are charged at €350. To reserve a place on a course, please call Gunvor on 0851390209 or email gunvor@anhoj.dk to check availability. Then simply return a booking form, download here, along with a 50% deposit by cheque or postal order payable to Calnan and Anhøj. Post to Calnan and Anhøj, The Forge, Russborough, Blessington, County Wicklow. The balance is to be paid on arrival.

Booking Terms and Conditions Deposit is non-refundable and the balance to be paid on arrival.
If need be you can change the course date up to 4 weeks prior to start of the course originally booked. If, at a point 4 weeks in advance of course start date, your preferred course is under subscribed; we will offer you an alternative. If no alternative is available - or if you are not happy with the alternative offered - we will refund your deposit.

A day where a traditional craft is brought into a modern
context and made accessible to all. Blacksmithing is
suitable for men and women alike, don’t be shy!

Useful Websites:

www.irishblacksmiths.com Irish Artist Blacksmiths Association. The gateway to blacksmithing and forge-work in Ireland today.
www.iforgeiron.com Brilliant blacksmithing and metal working forum.
www.baba.org.uk British Artist Blacksmiths Association. Information, forge-ins, training courses.
http://www.hct.ac.uk/Courses/ft_black.html Rural Crafts Centre in Hereford, England. The largest blacksmithing and farrier training centre in the UK.
www.hca.ac.uk/courses/arttist-blacksmithing-ba.php BA (hons) Artist Blacksmithing

Blacksmith_Course_Booking_Form.pdf