The rich and varied history of Irish Belleek

A piece of Belleek is often a great Irish gift idea Mother's Day and these hand-crafted Fine Parian China represents over 156 years of craftsmanship and history. Belleek does indeed have a rich history which we'll delve into a little in this week's blog.

Classic Belleek pottery, the oldest craft pottery in Ireland, originates from the picturesque Northern Irish village of Belleek in County and universally recognised and loved by millions from across the globe. Irish Belleek has been crafted on the banks of Lough Erne by Belleek Pottery since 1857 and is also home to the world renowned Belleek Fine Parian China and immensely popular Belleek Visitor Centre.

Belleek Pottery was the brainchild of three men - John Caldwell Bloomfield, Robert Williams Armstrong and David McBirney. Bloomfield was eager to create a porcelain factory and so provided the land on which Armstrong design and built the factory that still stands today, all of which was financed by McBirney. The final structure was purposely designed to resemble a large country manor and was finally completed in 1860 at which stage earthenware was already in production.

Initially the factory focused on producing earthenware which  included high-quality domestic ware, floor tile, hospital sanitation ware and Belleek Building telephone insulators. However, after a number of years and some failed attempts at producing fine porcelain, it was agreed to bring on board a number of skilled artisans which heralded the birth of Belleek Parian China.

The reputation of the Belleek fine porcelain soon spread and its status was confirmed after it received commissions from various luminaries including Queen Victoria, the Prince of Wales and members of the nobility. The knock on effect of this new found status was increased demand in the United States, Australia and India.

Belleek production flourished until the onset of World War 1 and with a dwindling order book and skeleton staff levels it was sold to an Irish business man from Dundalk and renamed the Belleek Pottery Limited. Once again Europe was gripped by war with the onset of World War 2 and so the factory reverted to producing earthenware once again do to the lower production costs and saw the factory survive this barren economic  period. Following the war demand grew once again and fine Irish Belleek and Belleek gifts were in produced in great quantities.

Each piece of fine parian china, is a truly original piece of Irish Craftsmanship, made using materials and techniques handed down through generations. No two pieces are ever the same. Every handle, flower and brush stroke is skilfully applied by hand to create the look and feel that is uniquely Irish Belleek and makes ideal traditional Irish gifts for those special occasions.