John Lynch ( 1916-1999), Clareboy was a skilled blacksmith who carried on a tradition which went back
to his great, great grandfather Laurence who was born in 1774.

The blacksmith was a hugely important tradesman in a locality who shod horses and fixed all implements for house and farm.

The forge was a hive of activity where stories were exchanged and was a place of pilgrimage especially on a wet day.

John was a skilled footballer also and played with the Ardkill and Drumkilly teams of the thirties.