Blacksmiths Hammer
This blacksmiths hammer, used by the Curtis family from Kilnaboy, is an example of a tool that has changed little over hundreds of years. Members of this family, who have lived in Kilnaboy north Clare, for over five hundred years, are renowned for their healing abilities with horses and their rituals date back to antiquity.
Ancient Irish law and legend combine to tell us that the master blacksmith enjoyed the highest status among craftworkers. They provided shoes for horses and donkeys that were used both for transport and for farm work. Blacksmiths were also vital in making and repairing farm implements such as scythes, sickles, spades, reaping hooks, harrows and ploughs.
In an article called ‘The Sorcerers Apprentice’, PJ Curtis describes visiting a dying horse with his father Pat Joe Curtis many years ago. PJs father was the only survivor of five brothers, all the others had died of TB nearly a century ago. His father possessed “the cure” for animals and was at this point bringing his young son along to learn the craft of animal healing. There was blood letting of the horse involved and the young PJ reacted badly to this. He was too squeamish and thereafter his father never brought him along to cure sick animals again. The tone of the article is one of sadness, as he was the end of the line for generations of knowledge and family tradition.
Another branch of the Curtis family were noted healers of people using, natural remedies.
Ref: 2000.208
