Wilson's Forge

Wilson’s Forge was one of many forges in the country side but was probably the longest lasting. The family story is that the first Wilson in the area was a blacksmith with Cromwell’s army who at some point met up with a local girl, married and settled down. The family followed the blacksmith trade for several generations, setting up in Lisrace in 1830.

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  Mrs Wilson and the blacksmith stand together beside the tools and products of the forge

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  Elizabeth, John and Sady Johnston, standing outside the old forge, they can remember going there as children

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  Lisrace Forge Bill

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  Lisrace Forge

This is part of a long account of work done for the Murray family in Mullavea Glebe in the years 1881 to 1883. The ‘removes’ were the moving of an animal’s shoes to another foot to ensure even wear. Apparently the bill was paid every few months with round sums e.g. eight or ten shillings but always with a balance left running. The forge closed at Lisrace in 1970 with the retirement of the last blacksmith Mr Robert Wilson. At that time the use of the horse for farm work or transport had ended. However, the life of the actual forge and its tools has not ended for it is in working order in the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum at Cultra where a group from the Killyfole and District Development Association visited it two years ago. At the present time, with the increased interest in riding as a leisure pursuit and for children, there are more ponies in the area than has been the case for a long time.