Over thirty people attended our medieval bell making workshop here near Portmagee as part of this year’s Culture Night. Karen, Barry and myself poured two bronze handbells, based on finds of the 8th-10th C., during the day and a third one after dark that unfortunately did not turn out. The authentic medieval foundry set-up was a clay pit furnace, dug in the morning and fuelled with charcoal and a set of bag bellows. Despite problems with (assuming) contaminated metal, we melted a total of 6kg of bronze during the event. Demonstrations in making 6th C. iron handbells took place between the pours. The rich early Christian Heritage of the Iveragh peninsula provided the historic context of the event which was kindly supported and promoted by Culture Night 2022 and Kerry Co. Co. Arts Office.
Holger C. Lönze - Sculptor
