Belleek

Home of Belleek Pottery; On the banks of the River Erne, on the border between Fermanagh and Donegal, lies Belleek, home of Ireland’s oldest pottery.

For more than 137 years this little village has been famous for its distinctive parian china. Today Belleek holds a special place in the hearts of china collectors the world over.

The area hosts a cosmopolitan tourist population every year and many return to the village year after year.

When you purchase a piece of Belleek china you become the owner of a truly original piece of Irish craftsmanship, made using materials and techniques handed down from generation to generation. No two pieces are ever the same.

There were three founders, William Armstrong, (technical founder) JohnCaldwell (provided the land required) Bloomfield and David McBirney (provided the capital required).

Belleek’s reputation has been built on product excellence and only Belleek of the very highest quality is ever put on sale. Back in 1857 the pottery’s founder John Caldwell Bloomfield declared that any piece with even the slightest flaw should be destroyed. This rule still applies today.

First Period Black Mark 1863-1890
The colour of the mark during this period was predominantly black but other colours were used, amongst them red, blue, orange, green, brown, and pink. Some pieces of Belleek also carry the British Patent Office registation mark which gives the date of regsistration, not the date the piece was manufactured. During this period Belleek also used impressed mark, with the words “BELLEEK,CO. FERMANAGH” or “BELLEEK”, or a small impressed mark of a harp or harp and crown. The latter are more usually found on Earthenware pieces.

Pubs & Restaurants, Belleek

  • The Black Cat Cove – 28 Main Street, Belleek – 028 6865 8942
  • McDonnells Cafe – 30 Main Street, Belleek – 028 6865 8392
  • Moohans Fiddlestone 15 Main Street Belleek – 028 6865 8008