Cardinal Health employees outside the plant last August as details emerged that it planned to cease operations in Tullamore
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26 Mar 2026
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26 Mar 2026
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Traditional craft masters at work during the That Beats Banagher festival held last year in the town. Pictured are Monica Fallon Adair and Rick Fontas. Pic: Rose Mannion.
THE vibrant riverside town of Banagher will ignite this summer with the return of the That Beats Banagher Festival, taking place from Friday, July 25th to Sunday, July 27th, 2025.
The festival promises a thrilling weekend packed with blacksmithing, traditional crafts, iron smelting, heritage walks, and family-friendly activities – all celebrating the rich industrial and cultural history of the area.
The Festival begins on Friday, July 25th with an Introduction to Blacksmithing Course from 10am-4pm. A hands-on, beginner-friendly course for up to eight participants. Learn blacksmithing basics with expert guidance. Booking required: festival@thatbeatsbanagher.com
Saturday, July 26th is the Main Festival Day and is open to the public from 10am-5pm.
Battle of the Blacksmiths takes place from 11am-2pm. Watch Ireland’s best blacksmiths compete in five fast-paced forging challenges for the Golden Anvil Trophy.
There will be a Chopping Competition from 2-4pm - a high-energy test of timber-cutting skills.
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Long Puck Across the Shannon is scheduled for 2-4pm. Location: Banagher Park. Test your hurling accuracy by aiming a sliotar at a floating target in the River Shannon. Categories: adult male, adult female, junior male, junior female. Prizes awarded!
Golden Anvil Awards Presentation takes place 4.30pm.
Talk by Michael Budd at 5pm at Crank House. An engaging talk by the master blacksmith and sculptor.
Irish Artist Blacksmiths Association (IABA) AGM 6pm.
Martello Tower Bookshop Pop-Up 2-6pm. Literary gems and rare books on display at Bridge Barrack Yard after a field trip to Clongawny Bog’s iron ore deposits.
Straw Craft Demonstration by Padraig Larkin, 10am-5pm. Learn about ancient Irish straw basket-making traditions. Free and open to all.
Iron Ore Smelting Demonstrations 10am-6pm led by Paul Rondelez and team. Live furnace action turning bog ore into true Banagher iron.
On Sunday, July 27th there will be a Heritage, Forging, and Family Fun Day – Open to the Public, 10am-5pm.
Heritage Walk: “Forges, Forgeries, Fakes & Fortifications”. Time: 12.45pm – 2pm. Starting point: Saint Paul’s Church. A guided walk through Banagher’s ironwork history, including railings, plaques, and Napoleonic fortifications. Hear fascinating stories about Sir Mathew De Renzy and Charlotte Brontë. Finishes at Bridge Barrack Yard with a showcase of blacksmith work.
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Live Forging Demonstrations Throughout the Day
10am – Jack Murphy
11am – Limerick School of Blacksmithing
12pm – Leeside Forge (Gus & James)
1pm3pm – Michael Budd: Dragon Head Forging Demo
4pm – Irish Artist Blacksmith Competition Winners Announced
Padraig Larkin’s Straw Craft Demonstration (10am-5pm) continues for a second day.
Iron Ore Smelting Demonstrations continue 10am-6pm.
There will be Artisan food and craft stalls, local music, and family activities available throughout the weekend.
Free public entry on Saturday and Sunday.
Full programme available at: www.thatbeatsbanagher.com .
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