When people hear the phrase “restoring the forge,” they might assume it’s about re-launching a website or moving stock into the shop. But for us at Redmond’s Forge, it might mean something far more literal; and far more profound: restoring a historic blacksmith’s forge in a village in County Wicklow, Ireland.
It’s not just bricks and mortar – it’s heritage, memory, and community. But the question is: Is it worth it? And perhaps more interestingly: Can artificial intelligence help us answer that?
🤖 Why Ask AI?
I put this question to Gemini, one of the leading large language models available in 2025. Could an AI help weigh the emotional, historical, logistical, and financial factors in deciding whether to invest in a heritage restoration project?
Surprisingly, the answer is: yes it can – but not by replacing human judgment, but by structuring it. Here is the actual research and chat with Gemini on https://www.redmondsforge.com/restoring-the-forge/
🔍 AI-Assisted Phase 1: Historical and Legal Feasibility
Gemini helped outline a meticulous planning and assessment phase:
- Researching the history of the forge via local archives and oral histories.
- Identifying original features like the hearth, chimney, bellows, and anvil bases.
- Navigating Irish planning laws, including engagement with Wicklow County Council and its Conservation Officer.
- Flagging the importance of Protected Structure status and conservation-grade planning permissions.
With AI assistance, we built a practical, culturally sensitive roadmap. The result? We know what to ask, who to ask, and what documents to read—even before leaving the desk.
🏗️ Phase 2: Design, Funding, and Pre-Construction
Gemini outlined a phased project plan and even highlighted:
- Applicable Irish grant schemes like the Built Heritage Investment Scheme.
- Tendering advice for contractors with experience in lime mortar, traditional roofing, and heritage carpentry.
- The importance of a conservation architect for both planning permission and future-proofing.
This wasn’t just AI regurgitating information—it was effectively acting as a knowledgeable project assistant.
💰 Cost Breakdown: Realistic Budgeting Help
Perhaps the most sobering contribution was cost estimation. Gemini flagged the broad expected range:
- €70,000–€150,000 for basic stabilisation and functional restoration.
- Up to €300,000–€500,000+ for high-spec work with museum-quality finishes or habitable conversion.
- It reminded us to allocate 20–30% contingency for unexpected structural surprises.
- And it didn’t forget professional fees or VAT.
What stood out? AI won’t give you a builder’s quote, but it’s a superb risk-framing tool—giving us realistic expectations early.
🧭 What AI Can’t Decide (and Shouldn’t)
Gemini couldn’t answer “Should I do it?” because that answer depends on:
- Our emotional connection to the place.
- Our tolerance for delays, cost overruns, and stress.
- Our willingness to be stewards of heritage.
- The long-term vision: museum, working forge, event space?
But what it did offer was a structured, data-rich lens through which to evaluate these variables, and that clarity is invaluable.
🏁 Verdict: Is AI Useful for Decisions Like This?
Absolutely.
AI:
- Structures complexity.
- Speeds up research.
- Flags risks and unknowns.
- Summarises laws, grants, materials, and regulations.
- Provides a virtual second opinion—one not emotionally entangled.
But AI won’t build the forge, raise the funds, or fall in love with the smell of old stone and coal. That part is still human—and that’s exactly how it should be.
🛠️ Next Step: Is This Our New Home at Redmond’s Forge?
If we secure the right property at the right price, and grants are within reach, then yes, the Redmond’s Forge name may soon return to a literal forge. Until then, AI has helped us get further in 3 days than we could have in 3 months alone.
And if you know of a derelict forge in Wicklow… you know where to find me.
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