For Edward Wallace, the path to success wasn’t always straightforward – but it was always forged with determination. A dedicated blacksmith from Donegal, Edward had until recently long nurtured a hobby that was a passion rather than a profession. During the pandemic, he seized the opportunity to teach himself the craft through books and online tutorials. “The pandemic gave me the chance to lock myself in the shed and practice. I got a little better, but I still wasn’t getting any formal training,” he recalls.
Dissatisfied with his factory job and eager to pursue his dream, Edward made the bold decision to quit and enrol in the Blacksmithing and Iron Craft course at Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board’s College of FET in Cappamore, County Limerick. The only problem? The 900km weekly round trip from Donegal.
“The logistics of traveling from Donegal every week were tough, but the blacksmithing course wasn’t available anywhere else in the country, and it was something I’m really passionate about,” he explained. The long commute meant clocking over 30,000km throughout the year, limiting his hours for a part-time job back home. But Edward was undeterred.
“It was definitely worth it. My classmates became like family. We helped each other out, pushing one another to improve,” he said.
Blacksmithing tutor Eric O’Neill pictured at the forge at Limerick and Clare ETB’s College of FET Cappamore Campus, a designated Centre of Excellence for Blacksmithing skills and home to Ireland’s only City and Guilds certified training course in Iron-craft and Blacksmith Skills.
Determined to make the most of his time at Cappamore, Edward also enrolled in a night course in toolmaking, with encouragement from his tutor, artist blacksmith Eric O’Neill. “Eric has such an enthusiasm for the art of blacksmithing, and he passed that on to all of us. He helped us grow by leaps and bounds.”
Eric, who celebrated the graduates’ success at the College of FET autumn conferring ceremonies, praised the class for its commitment and camaraderie. “This particular City & Guilds class was very strong with learners traveling from across the country – Tipperary, Roscommon, Dublin, Kerry, and of course, Edward from Donegal. The group were very focused and gelled well as a class, helping each other when needed. They were a pleasure to teach and there was great energy in the room. I spoke to Edward often on the effort and commitment he had to make to attend the blacksmith course in Cappamore, he found it of immense value and his skill set and focus on work improved hugely with the added compliment from our External Verifier who said Edward had produced the best portfolio of the year!”
For Edward, the City & Guilds qualification he earned now opens doors that were previously out of reach. “In Donegal, there aren’t many opportunities in blacksmithing. It’s a rare industry, but this qualification will allow me to start my own business very soon,” he explains.
As he prepares to launch that blacksmithing business, where he will take on commissioned works, Edward is eager to share his experience with others. “I’d recommend this course to anyone interested in blacksmithing, or anyone who’s been practicing as a hobby and wants to take the next step toward turning it into a profession.”
Edward’s journey is a testament to the power of perseverance and the pursuit of passion. And for anyone looking to follow in his footsteps, the College of FET’s Blacksmithing and Iron Craft course could be the forge that shapes their future.
If you’d like to visit the forge at Limerick and Clare ETB’s College of FET Cappamore Campus or learn more about Blacksmithing and Iron Craft why not pay a visit during College of FET, Campus Open Week from Monday 10th March to Friday 14th March 2025. Visit collegeofFET.ie/open to book your place.
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