Belleek China

The mystery of the Orient combines with the charm of Ireland in Belleek China.

During the time of Tha Shein Ukrosh (the Hunger) in 19th Century Ireland, John Caldwell Bloomfield, the owner of Castlecaldwell started earthenware pottery production in the Rose Isle section of the village, Belleek. His purpose was to find employment for the people of his community and help them in their time of need.

You see, the famine claimed most of its victims because they had no money to buy the basic comforts of life. In fact, newspaper articles of the time tell of families living and dying in cold earthen hovels because they did not have the few p's needed to buy turf so they could heat their homes. The weather was as much an enemy as was the hunger.

Out of this misery came the beauty of Belleek.

14 craftsmen were brought from Stoke-on-Trent, England, and local lads were hired to work in the factory. A railway was built to the town and the production of high-quality earthenware began.

Porcelain was featured by Belleek for the first time at the Dublin Exposition of 1872 and it became an instant success. Parian china is now treasured the world over.

In an eerie twist of fate, the Belleek Pottery Group acquired Aynsley China in Stoke-on-Trent, England, in 1997.

Today, Belleek produces some of the finest porcelain made and most pieces feature the trademark shamrock symbol. 

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