Sirhowy Ironworks - from an illustration c.1877

The first furnace at Sirhowy was built in 1778 when leases on local lands were acquired by a group of 'London Businessmen' -  Thomas Atkinson, William Barrow, Bolton Hudson and John Sealy.
Knowing little of the "Art, Misterry and Business of Making Iron",   the partners hired a group of Merthyr workers whose expertise was employed in the construction and commissioning of the new venture.

The original output of around 4 tons per week was modest but was to gradually increase, leading to the development of surrounding areas such as Ysgwrfa (Scwrfa) where ironstone was cleaned or 'scoured' by damming the river then releasing the flood of water to wash away debris leaving the required ironstone.

By 1794, ownership of the Works had passed to Matthew Monkhouse, a nephew of Atkinson and Richard Fothergill, described as a "Master Builder from Clapham, Surrey".
Although Barrow still held some shares his interest was minimal and following a personal financial crisis he was to sell his remaining shares to the other partners.

Monkhouse and Fothergill had great plans for expansion - in 1797 a second furnace was installed and an early Boulton and Watt steam engine installed to increase blast power.
By this time output had increased to some 25 tons a week and an increase in the workforce numbers had led to construction of many new buildings in the area - Company owned properties were built and rented to workers at Glanhowy and Sirhowy Hill along with other buildings related to Company business.

Two large dwellings - "mansions" to the workers, were built close to the river near the Furnace Yard.
Fothergill's house was later to become St.George's Vicarage, now long demolished.
Monkhouse's property known as "Glan yr Afon" still survives in the dingle alongside the river.

St.George's Vicarage - Fothergill's residence

Glan yr Afon - Monkhouse's residence

The success of the Sirhowy venture and the increasing demand for iron products led Monkhouse and Fothergill to consider another even more ambitious project.
If enough investment could be attracted and leases satisfactorily negotiated, a new ironworks south of Sirhowy could be built.
If their plans were realised, the area would complete a huge transformation, from rural simplicity to a centre of major industrial significance...

Furnace remains at Sirhowy Ironworks site - Sept.2003

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