Lots of examples of fields with ‘Forge made riveted iron gates’ have been highlighted. Some local historians can identify the forge where the gate was made by the style of the gate. These gates are in decline, usually they are just too narrow for modern machinery. Many that do still exist are somewhat the worst for wear. Much information has also been found about old forges, blacksmiths and foundries all around Meath. Although many ceased to operate more then 50 years ago, their impact on the rural community is still apparent in the field names and lore of county Meath.
Forge made gate at Redmountain, Donore (photo by Joan Mullen)Forge made gate at The Reask, Painstown, Beauparc (photo by Joan Mullen)Forge made gate and cut stone pier near Kilskyre (photo by Joan Mullen)Forge made gate, cut stone piers and stone walls at entrance to field near Nobber (Photo by Joan Mullen)Forge made gate and cut stone piers near Staholmog (photo by Joan Mullen)Forge made gates at entrance to thatched house and farmyard at Gormanstown, near Stamullin. Here there are two gates, a narrow gate for pedestrians and a wider gate for other traffic, also traditional whitewashed walls. (photo by Joan Mullen)Blacksmith’s marking with the inscription ‘Callaghan’ on latch of forge made gates at Martry Graveyard. These gates were made by Henry Callaghan, a blacksmith at Connell’s Forge Ongenstown, Bohermeen. These gates were yard gates in Martry and were rehung on the extension to Martry Graveyard in recent years. Many blacksmiths branded their work in some way. (photo by Eleanor Tallon)Michael Casey at the entrance to Casey’s Forge, Nobber. This continues to be a working forge (photo by Joan Mullen)
Traditional trades
The abundance of specialist jobs that people worked at on farms and in rural areas in the past is also highlighted in field names and their descriptions. There is mention of people who worked as Cattle Drovers, Herds, Ploughmen, Harness Makers, Nailers, Thatchers, Threshers, Blacksmiths and Tailors. Most of these specialist occupations have declined and some no longer exist.
Thatched cottage and outbuildings near Horistown, RathkennySteam threshing underway at Moynalty Steam Threshing Festival (photo courtesy of Moynalty Steam Threshing Festival)
