If you’re looking for beautiful pottery, and are not sure what to choose, then it may be an idea to take a look at what Belleek has to offer. Here, First Ireland reveals more about the company, their history and what makes their products an excellent choice for the discerning collector.
A potted history of Belleek
Established in 1857, Belleek pottery is one of Ireland’s oldest attractions. Renowned for creating some of the finest porcelain to come from Ireland, Belleek pottery holds a very special place in the commercial and cultural history of County Fermanagh. The village of Belleek lies in the Castlecaldwell Estate, which John Caldwell Bloomer inherited from his father. He was delighted to learn that his land contained the raw materials to make pottery, and hence Belleek Pottery was born. It was made up via a partnership of Bloomer, Robert William Armstrong, a London Architect and David McBirney, a wealthy Dublin merchant.
The Foundation Stone for the company building was laid in 1858. Workmen and young apprentices were found from the local area, Craftsmen were found in Stoke-on-Trent, being lured to Ireland with the promise of a better life. By 1865, they had established a rapidly growing market throughout Ireland and England and were exporting their pottery far afield, they had the prestige of receiving orders from the Monarchy and Nobility. Belleek featured Porcelain for the first time in 1872. However, Earthenware remained their primary product up till 1920.
Challenging time
Both Armstrong and McBirney died in the early 1880s, at which point a group of local investors acquired the property and set about creating the Belleek Pottery Works Company Limited in August 1884. Two world wars and rationings caused supply and distribution issues for the company, but they survived by making changes and investing in new technology, so much so that by 1952 they could barely keep up with orders. By 1972 however, tastes in pottery changed, causing many ups and downs for Belleek, ultimately resulting in the sale of Belleek Pottery Limited three more times by 1989.
A popular tourist attraction
Their hugely popular Visitor Centre was opened in 1989 and the company were in a much stronger position. In 1990, “Erne Heritage Investments” owned by Dr George Moore acquired the company, he controls many business interests and now resides in the United States.
Belleek Now
The current management team have since overseen the rapid expansion of Belleek into a group with an impressive range of giftware brands. They acquired Galway Irish Crystal in 1993, Aynsley China, a long-established Stoke-on–Trent pottery firm in 1997, and Donegal China in 2000, further enhancing its’ presence in the pottery industry.
In 2003, Belleek diversified with a new brand “Belleek Living” a contemporary gift and casual dining collection.
A rich history with a modern twist
Belleek to this day continue to create exciting and new designs, they have embraced the needs and tastes of today’s generations, creating both useful and decorative products alike, still with the great care that made them a stalwart in pottery design for all those years.
‘The 16 Hands’
Each piece of Belleek is created by 16 individual artisans, which ensure every piece is perfect, from design and creation to packing, with each piece passing four inspections along the way, before receiving approval to be packaged for its recipient.
Such attention to detail at every stage and the clear ability in the future to be able to trace and age your product by the giftware mark on each piece is a sign of quality and traceability. With few exceptions, the symbols are unmistakably Irish, showing the pride and support the company feel for their products and their heritage.
If you want to own a true piece of Irish history and be part of one of the oldest known brands in Ireland, then Belleek pottery is certainly a fantastic choice for a collection. Whether you purchase just one piece or begin a collection, you’ll know that your pottery comes with a rich history and careful craftmanship that will ensure you can enjoy it for years to come.
