Shadowing a Blacksmith at Ashford Castle: Inside the Hotel's Meet the Makers Experience

Ashford Castle, the historic Guinness family estate turned luxury hotel in County Mayo, Ireland, offers guests a chance to shadow a blacksmith for a day through its Meet the Makers program. The Fire & Wood itinerary, part of the hotel's Exceptional Irish Experiences, pairs a visit to a blacksmith's workshop with a private lunch at a dairy farm.

After a briefing with Ashford's experiences ambassador Eoin Warner, who provided protective Wellies and jackets, guests travel roughly 40 minutes to Kilreekil, Galway, to the workshop of blacksmith Stephen Quinn. There, participants choose between making a keychain or a coat hook and shape iron at the forge and anvil, finishing their pieces with a cold plunge and a linseed oil treatment.

The day also includes a stop at Kylemore Farmhouse Cheese, where fourth-generation dairy farmer Teresa Roche leads a tour of the cow barn and curing room, followed by lunch at her home featuring a cheese plate and apple tart.

The blacksmithing experience can be booked by submitting an inquiry on Ashford Castle's website; the hotel team then discusses a custom itinerary. Pricing for a full-day itinerary starts at $3,400 for two people.