Most of us are familiar with Belleek, a thin, ivory-colored, almost-iridescent porcelain. The shamrock pattern is most familiar, but many patterns were made, including Limpet, Tridacna, and Grasses. Belleek Porcelain was first made in 1857 in County Fermanagh, Ireland. Production continued until World War I, was discontinued for a period of time, and then resumed.

It all began in 1849 when Captain John Caldwell Bloomfield inherited the Castle Caldwell estate, which encompassed the village of Belleek in County Fermanagh. He was concerned about his tenants. Between 1841 and 1851 the county had lost 25 percent of its population through starvation and migration following the Great Potato Famine in 1845.

Bloomfield surveyed his lands to determine what minerals might be present and how they might be utilized to offer employment. He discovered feldspar, kaolin, flint, clay, shale, peat, power and trainable labor - all the necessary ingredients to make pottery.

In July 1857 Bloomfield, with the assistance of Robert Armstrong and David McBirney, laid the foundation stone for the Pottery on Rose Isle. It was built to resemble a large country house with a facade of local cut stone and large well-lit rooms. Figures vary, but it seems that the Pottery was built to accommodate up to 500 employees.

The site had many advantages. The island was on a bend of the river where the water could be harnessed to give up to 15,000 horse power, more than adequate to drive the water-wheel required for the Pottery. There were many unemployed people and a wealth of local resources. Ballyshannon, a port three miles down stream, played an important role. Machinery for the Pottery was landed at the Salt Works Quay and transported by horse and cart to the Pottery. The railway reached Belleek in 1886, haVing taken nine years' effort and expense to get the line from Enniskillen extended to Ballyshannon via Belleek

In the early days the Pottery was confined to earthenware, and the profit from the sale of earthenware was ploughed into experiments on parian (a creamy white, translucent porcelain named after its similarity of appearance to the white marble of Paros).

William Henshall's introduction of basketwork and flowers in 1865 gave Belleek porcelains a world-wide audience. Each basket is woven out of fine rods of clay, not cast, and each leaf and flower is made by hand. These intricate and highly decorative pieces are most sought after by collectors. Belleek baskets are dated according to whether they are three-strand or four strands.

Irish Belleek Parian china is still hand-crafted just as it was more than one-hundred years ago. Each piece is made by one craftsman from start to finish. There is no assembly line technique

In 1869 the Potter's parian creations were mentioned in the Art Journal. Orders of tremendous prestige were received from Queen Victoria, the Prince of Wales and other nobility. The small earthenware factory had been touched by royalty.

Porcelain was featured by Belleek for the first time at the Dublin Exposition of 1872. Both table and decorative wares were made in a range of designs and decorated with the nacreous glazes which made the factory famous. Among the most popular were shell forms, often with applied encrustations of marine life, and basketwares decorated with plants and blossoms. A favorite tableware pattern took the form of closely woven basketry decorated with swirling sprigs of green shamrock. Parian busts and figures were among the other decorative productions.

Robert Armstrong, one of the original partners in the firm, was among its distinguished designers. Mrs. Armstrong was accomplished with water colors and painted marine and botanical subjects as well as landscapes. A wide range of designs were used featuring flowers, birds, butterflies and fish.

The most gifted painter in the pottery's history was Eugene Sheering (1855-1915). Partially paralyzed at the age of four, he was unable to attend school. Robert Armstrong gave him a position in the painting and decorating department. Perhaps Sheerin's most famous legacy is the lovely ring-handle ivory service depicting a different prominent Irish landscape scene on each piece. He often signed or initialed his work.

In 1881 McBirney died at the age of 78, followed by the untimely death of Armstrong, age 59. However, as far as the Belleek Pottery was concerned, Armstrong and McBirney had achieved their aim. Belleek porcelain had achieved acclaim for Ireland and Irish porcelain was known throughout the world.

After the death of McBirney and Armstrong, the Pottery experienced many changes and in 1988 Powerscreen International, an Engineering Company, purchased the pottery and a major improvement was carried out with the International Fund for Ireland. Now the Belleek Pottery, with a new Visitor's Center, a restaurant, museum and an audio-visual theater attracts over 70,000 visitors a year.

The natural resources and special talents of the Belleek people have all combined to offer a creative gift for the world to enjoy. Innovative people with names like Flannigan, Cleary, McGuire, O'Shea, and many others are listed in the pottery records.

The proud and gifted people of Bel leek have survived famines, wars and depressions. The pottery, the people and the village continue their creative traditions in this lovely land of misty mountains and green valleys.

There is an old Irish saying: If a newly married couple receives a gift of Bel leek, their marriage will be blessed with lasting happiness.

The European Belleek company used specific marks during given time periods, which makes it relatively easy for collectors to date a piece of Irish Belleek. Variations in mark color are important, as well as symbols and words.

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. Every handle, flower and brush stroke is lovingly applied by hand to create the look and feel that is uniquely Belleek.

Note: In 1990 the company was acquired by Erne Heritage Investments owned by Dr. George Moore. Originally from Dundalk, Dr. Moore now lives in the USA from where he controls many business interests.

1992 saw the beginning of a $3.2 million Industrial Development Board for a Northern Ireland backed expansion plan. The four year long investment program entailed the building of a new factory enabling the company to step up production for existing overseas markets.

In 1993 Belleek Pottery acquired Galway Irish Crystal and in May 1996 a $3 million Galway Irish Crystal Heritage Center was opened.