The Forging Area

Acid Etching of Forged Leaves

Restoration of a Church Spire

Laying out Gates

Hot Twisting of Bars

Forging Gates

Forging of Mortice-and-Tenon Joints

Forged Rosettes prior to spraying

Forged elements for a staircase balustrade

Bushy Park Ironworks began life in 1990 when Edward Bisgood and Colm Bagnall combined their talents and set up their business in the last remaining working forge in Enniskerry, Co. Wicklow. The business expanded very successfully and by 1995, the charming old granite forge was no longer big enough for them and their projects so they moved to their present purpose built forge on the outskirts of Dublin. The forge is now the largest in Ireland with its own forging areas, fabrication areas, finishing areas, spray room, drawing office, storerooms, offices and show rooms. The company now employs eighteen people.

At Bushy Park Ironworks Ltd we pride ourselves in producing high quality hand made wrought ironwork that is both original in design and manufactured to the highest standards using traditional artist blacksmithing and forging techniques. By using these processes and by working the wrought iron hot from the fire anything is possible. We forge in mild steel, genuine wrought iron, stainless steel, bronze, copper and brass and we can combine these raw materials with glass, stone, ceramics, resin and wood. Your biggest limitation is your imagination.

With our design team and excellent craftsmen, Bushy Park Ironworks is prepared to undertake work at every scale, from domestic items to large architectural commissions as well as one off pieces. We pride ourselves with working closely with clients to determine exact requirements and can work from sketches, photographs or architectural / engineer's drawings. Alternatively we can work with you from the concept stage and together collaborate on the designs. We are happy to produce any drawings or working drawings and we are also prepared to make samples if required. There is only a charge for this work if the project does not go ahead.

We are in a position to offer a number of different finishes to our metal work depending on location. Exterior ironwork can be shot-blasted to S.A. 2 ½ followed by either a two-pack zinc rich primer or by hot dip galvanising to B.S.729. If required, we can advise on paint specifications and we can also apply the final paint finish.

Interior ironwork can be painted or paint finished with special finishes such as verdigris or special antique finishes, blued and lacquered to show off the natural colours of forged ironwork, patinated with chemicals or waxed to give a warm feel to the ironwork. Gold, silver and copper leafing can also be applied.

Around 60 % of our work is in the restoration of cast iron and wrought iron and the reproduction of classical designs. Our highly trained team of artist blacksmith's use the same blacksmithing techniques in our restoration or reproduction work as the original craftsmen used which means that invisible restoration can be carried out or new work can made to the very highest standards. With our team of pattern makers, copies of original cast iron, brass or bronze castings can be reproduced or new designs made as required.

Our artist blacksmiths use both traditional and contemporary techniques on all our other commission work which is in the hand forging of contemporary ironwork such as entrance gates, staircases, balconies, decorative ironwork, light fittings, garden and interior furniture and curtain poles. Again, we use mild steel, wrought iron or stainless steel as well as non-ferrous materials such as bronze, copper, brass, chrome and nickel. By working the raw material hot from the fire, unusual twists can be accomplished, organic textures can be applied to the surface of these materials or the methods of joining the materials can be done in such a way that they become part of the design or decoration of the piece.

The craftsmen who forge and build the work are also responsible for fitting or erecting their finished work on site. Experienced supervisors control all installation operations as well as the implementation of safety statements and method statements.

Bushy Park Ironworks has designed, forged and installed work all over Ireland, the U.K, Europe, the Far East and the United States and their work can be found in private houses, corporate headquarters, hotels, bars, night clubs and in private collections.

If you would like more detailed information, would like to discuss a commission or if you would like to see examples of our architectural, restoration or our individual commission work, please do not hesitate to contact us or visit our own showrooms at the above address.

Bushy Park Ironworks always has positions for artist blacksmiths, metal workers and artisans. Please contact us for further information.

Forged elements for a balustrade (detail)

Forged Balcony after painting

Decorative gilded finishes

Decorative stairs under construction

Blacksmith at work

Blacksmith at work

Blacksmith at work

Assembly of a forged railing

The forging area (Detail)