A demonstration of medieval iron smelting and forging will be held in the Burren, Co. Clare, with the participation of more than 50 blacksmiths and traditional iron smelters from Ireland, the UK, Europe, and the USA.

The 1,000-year-old Caherconnell Stone Fort, which was once the residence of Gaelic Chieftains, will be transformed into an outdoor museum as part of the second annual Caherconnell International Furnace Festival. On-site iron will be smelted and then forged into replicas of arrowheads, knives and belt buckles discovered at the medieval site.

The event is held on the 26th and 27th of August.

This year's family fun weekend also offers a chance for the public to actively learn more about and engage in the smelting process. Experts will present a running commentary during the event.

Blacksmith and iron smelter from Denmark One of Europe's top bloomery iron smelters, Jens Jrgen Olesen, will conduct two one-day seminars where he will instruct participants on how to make their own iron.

People interested in joining a smelting team and learning about the process of creating bloomery iron from iron ore can also take starting courses at the Furnace Festival School.