The Friends of Neath Abbey Iron Company

Neath Abbey Ironworks is a place that changed our world. Founded in 1792, by 1806 it was making world beating steam engines. It supplied these to Wales, Britain and the world. Marine engines were made by 1822 then iron paddle and screw steamers. It launched the world’s first 1,000 ton iron sailing ship in 1853. Its quality workmanship was famous. Neath Abbey's SS John launched in 1849 was the oldest steamship sailing before its loss in 1945.

In 1829, the Ironworks began building locomotives; some were world firsts in design and over 65 were made. Its products powered the Industrial Revolution and turned Wales into the world’s first industrial nation. Its 8,000 engineering plans are inscribed in the UNESCO Memory of the World Programme.

We meet every Sunday afternoon from 1-4 pm to conserve the site by managing vegetation and cleaning the Ironworks. We advance the community's education by research and archaeological digs.