Budd family keep traditions alive as they visit for tenth year in a row
AMONG the many new faces each year at the Old Fair Day, there are as many stalls that return on an annual basis.
One such stall is that of Blacksmith Michael Budd, and his wife Tiffany, a Goldsmith.
The couple have been coming to the Tubbercurry Old Fair Day Festival for ten years now.
Michael’s stand draws an interested crowd each year - with festival attendees watching on as he creates small pieces such as knives.
Michael Budd, originally from England, moved to Ireland 17 years ago and now lives in Castlebaldwin.
Folk from Sligo may be familiar with the work of the Budd family, and their stalls continue to draw huge crowds each year at the festival.
The festival, he says, is great for his business as it means people get a chance to see him at work.
“It’s a really great festival, it’s one of the best,” he told The Sligo Champion.
“It’s really good for business because I think sometimes people think that you might buy things from China so here we’re making things right in front of everyone so they can see that we make everything ourselves.
A crowd assembled around Michael’s stall in the arts and crafts tent, watching on as he made a small knife.
He wasn’t alone, as he had the help of his 14-year-old son George.
With two very talented parents, George might just be following in their footsteps very soon.
“We’ve just come back from Germany from a Blacksmith Festival there so George came along with me.
“He’s been coming along with me for years, he just loves it as well,” added Michael.
You can find out more about the work of Tiffany Budd on her website, tiffanybudd.com and for more on Michael Budd check out michaelbudd.ie.