The Repair of Wrought and Cast Iron Work - Dublin City Council

IRON THE REPAIR OF WROUGHT AND CAST IRONWORK
Historic iron is renowned for its corrosion resistance
and is generally an incredibly durable material. Much
of the ironwork found in Ireland is over 100 years old
and in some cases even older. Historic ironwork has a
distinctive character that is rarely matched by modern
replicas. Traditionally, blacksmiths and founders served
long apprenticeships to hone their skills and, as a
result, historic ironwork is usually of high quality.
The same cannot always be said for mild steel, the
most common substitute material for the repair and
replication of historic wrought and cast iron. It has an
inferior resistance to corrosion so that mild steel
replicas and repairs are more likely to corrode at a
faster rate than the original ironwork they are
replacing or repairing. Mild steel replicas are all too
often made by fabricators (a term that is much
confused with the term ‘blacksmith’) who usually do
not have a knowledge or understanding of traditional
blacksmithing. The result is a poor quality of design
that has none of the detailing that gives traditional
ironwork its character and visual appeal. Ultimately
such a product is more likely to detract from, rather
than enhance, the character of the historic building it
adjoins or is part of. It therefore makes sense to repair
and retain historic ironwork wherever possible. It is
more durable than modern alternative materials and
has been made with a level of skill that is rarely
matched today.
This is a rare example of superb
late eighteenth-century wrought
ironwork. This highly ornate arch
required considerable skill to make
An early and unusual multiple-wire cable suspension bridge (1826) in the
grounds of Birr Castle, County Offaly
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