Newtown Forge

Staunton's Forge

The townland of Newtown was settled and named when Major Crane Lynch ruled Clogher House Estate. He evicted many tenants from his lands in a mass eviction. These tenants came together as a community and built several small houses in this area, which eventually became known as the townland of Newtown

This area is known as the Clogher Heritage Complex and it includes the Clogher Heritage Cottage and Garden along with the working, reconstructed Forge. The Forge has been in the Staunton family since the 19th Century. In the 1901 census Patrick Staunton was listed as a Blacksmith and farmer. His son Richard was also listed as a Blacksmith. John Staunton, who died in 1980 was the last member of the Staunton Family to operate the Forge.

Clogher Plough

For many years the forge was the pivot on which life revolved around in Newtown. While the blacksmith in the forge ensured that the farmer’s horse or mare had a good grip in their new iron shoes, he  was also a man who provided the setting for many a good social gathering and a platform for the exchange of numerous views and opinions. The Forge was an important asset for the whole community. Not only were horses shod, but also all types of implements were made and repaired. This included socks for ploughs, pins for harrows, cartwheel rims, fire cranes, pothooks, tripods and the fire tongs. But, alas the mechanical tractor, coupled with modern engineering technology, has quenched the Blacksmiths bellow-driven fire and for many, the sound of hammering out the red hot iron into shape of the equine foot is no longer to be heard.

In recent years, a new found interest in the old art of blacksmithing has been rekindled and Clogher are making efforts to keep the story of blacksmithing alive.