Introduction to Steel Fabrication and Welding
Weekend Workshop
Open to complete beginners, this two day course will help you discover the art of metal fabrication and welding - and leave confident in your ability to join metal together safely.
You may just be interested to try your hand at welding and metal fabrication, but if you do end up using your new skills in a building or repair project, it could save you lots of money too.
2023 Courses
2nd & 3rd December
2024 Courses
Want to gift this skill to someone? Vouchers available here
On the course, you’ll learn:
The principles behind welding (it’s just science, not magic!)
About the materials, consumables and equipment used
The two most common techniques used
What will you take away?
Your own freshly-welded steel piece
The confidence and capability to start your own projects at home, like building a steel frame for a piece of furniture, creating brackets for shelving, experimenting with metalwork in an artwork, fixing metal items like gate hinges
Connections to other likeminded learners, which you’ll be able to keep in touch with through a 12 month membership of our community app The Commonage, included in your course fee (valued at €40).
What’s included?
The course fee of €380 covers tuition, the use of tools and materials, and two wholesome and nutritious daily meals each day curated by our on-site chef, as well as tea, coffee and cake when it is most needed. *There is mandatory site safety gear required to participate in this course, please see below.
What recent participants had to say:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
People who have recently taken this course gave it 5/5 stars for the overall experience.
100% of participants say they would highly recommend it to a friend, with a net promoter score of 100.
“I learned how to use tools for steelwork and were able to weld steel pieces together at the end of the course without any previous experience which is amazing! I left the course feeling confident to continue the welding on my own at home. The instructors were excellent, very patient, explained things really well and very helpful during the whole course. Making the whole experience fun and very enjoyable. There was a great atmosphere between everyone during the whole weekend and a real sense of community and purpose. The food was outstanding and such a special treat!”
“The food, people, atmosphere and instructors were all fantastic”
“We had the freedom to ask many questions and learn the basics - freedom to use good equipment under the watch full eye of the instructor.”
“The instructors were brilliant, no pressure, very casual yet expert advice”
“I signed up just to take the mystery out of welding and joining steel to round out my building skills & ended up fascinated that I can curve steel as well as cut it and weld it - opening up loads of ideas. We finished a job of work, which is always a lovely achievement.“
“Both teachers were very skillful and confident and very happy to share their knowledge & we had lots of laughs.”
Check out this video from a recent course:
Thanks to Mitch for sharing this short video about his experience last year, which was run last year by master welder Deirdre Cormican, who is currently on a maternity break . We miss you Deirdre, and congrats from all the gang!
Additional Information
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We will provide you with a loan of a hi-visibility vest and a welding helmet. However, you will need to ensure you bring the following mandatory site safety gear to participate:
Steel-capped boots (If you don’t have or can borrow a pair, they are widely available in workwear shops including O’Sullivan Safety, where a pair starts at €43)
Leather welding gloves (something like these)
Safety glasses*
Ear protection*An FFP2 mask*
A carpenter’s pencil*
An 8M measuring tape*
For fire safety, please ensure to wear a long sleeved top or jacket (not synthetic) and jeans. No loose-fitting clothing or shorts are permitted on-site.
*These items are available in our optional Site & Safety Kit which is available to purchase as an add on to your course ticket.
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For more information about booking a course, accommodation options, and preparing for your course at Common Knowledge, see our FAQs page.
Staying at The Common Knowledge Centre
We now have a range of accommodation options on site to suit all budgets and needs. You can view available accommodation on our booking page.
Course instructors
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Jordan Allen
Never seen far from his dog Mossey, Jordan is qualified electrician with 20 years experience between the commercial, industrial and domestic sectors, with a keen interest and experience in renewable and sustainable energy projects. Having grown up in a family of sustainability where everything was repaired or built from scratch, he’s learned many practical skills throughout his life that help him to live a life of self-sufficiency in west Clare, in a home he built himself.
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Gavin Morgan
Gavin is a metal fabricator. carpenter and designer who has worked in film, TV , theatre and large outdoor spectacle for the last 35 years. He has worked as head of construction for Macnas theatre company, Solas studio and St Patricks Festival, as well as maker for many other companies such as Druid Theatre and The National Opera of Ireland. He has taken time out from theatre to spend the last 2 years restoring and building his own home in Ennistymon and we’re thrilled to have him with us to share his skills this year.