New photographic exhibition celebrating wrought iron gates opens in Athlone

An exhibition of photographs of wrought iron gates goes on display in the Atrium of the Athlone Civic Centre today (Monday).

The photographs are a selection of the many images captured by community recorders as part of the Westmeath Wrought Iron Gates Project and will remain on display until February 23.

The exhibition will be officially launched by Cathaoirleach of Westmeath County Council Cllr Liam McDaniel on Thursday, February 1 at 6.30pm and all are welcome to attend.

In 2023, supported by the Heritage Office of Westmeath County Council, and under the expert guidance of Shem Caulfield, community groups around the county photographed and documented the wrought iron gates in their local areas.

The project was hugely successful with a great many of very distinctive gates photographed and documented. This exhibition focuses on some of the gates recorded in the south of the county.

The tradition of making forged wrought iron gates may be described as a heritage skill. At one time there was a blacksmith’s forge at almost every crossroads in Westmeath.

Few blacksmith’s forges survive today, but many of the gates made in these forges can still be seen throughout the country, where they stand as testament to the craft of the blacksmith. Local blacksmiths developed their own individual styles of gate making and many included their own distinctive maker’s mark on their work.

These unique gate designs are wonderful examples of our rural industrial heritage and of vernacular craftmanship; they were designed to meet local needs using whatever material the blacksmith had to hand.

Metal rims of cartwheels, for example, were often repurposed as gate bars. Sadly, our wrought iron gates are becoming less common as they fall into disrepair and are replaced and as gateways are widened to allow access for larger farm machinery.

“The Westmeath Wrought Iron Gates Project was developed, as an action of the Westmeath Heritage Plan, to celebrate the trade of the blacksmith and create a greater appreciation of the heritage significance of our wrought iron gates, with the aim of helping to preserve these gates for future generations”, says Heritage Officer Melanie McQuade. “I hope we can build on the great work done by volunteers to date and continue to record more examples of wrought iron gates around the County.”

If you are interested in getting involved in this project contact heritage@westmeathcoco.ie