The Nail Forge (Factory) was located on the corner of Dominick Street near the Bridge Mills. The ‘Nailor’ was the title given to the men who produced nails for the Galway market. A man named Michael Walsh was recorded as the ‘Nailor’ in 1823, and it was already a well-established business at the time. Walsh was an important man in town, as he supplied not just the builders with his product, but he also produced horseshoe nails. Business was conducted over the half door of the building. The half door also supplied most of the light in this small factory, as it was sometimes called. One local newspaper reported that he was living in poverty, despite having worked hard throughout his life. He had struggled over the previous twelve years because of a ‘disease of his leg’. The unfortunate man had to have his leg amputated, causing him to fall into extreme poverty as he was unable to work. The report generated some support for the man, but it is not known for certain who succeeded him. Nevertheless, the work was carried on over the following years and through successive generations. By 1942, the business was owned by Michael Curran, whose family were reported as having run the business for over 200 years. The forge consisted of one room where all the work was carried out. There was a ladder leading to the living quarters on the upper floor. It was often described as the smallest factory in the world. Visitors and locals alike would often make their way to see the Nailor at work. However, the building was condemned in 1942, and thus ended this small, but very important part of the industrial history of Galway.
