The “Secrets” of the Belleek Parian China Factory: Belleek, Co Fermanagh

Serving as a pilgrimage site for fine porcelain collectors, a tour of the Belleek factory offers an up-close look at the intricate processes required to produce the high end china. The tour invites visitors to look over the shoulder of the craftspeople as they work, and things get a bit hands-on when a lucky (or unlucky) visitor is asked to break a rejected piece porcelain… part of the company’s strict “no seconds” policy.

Most visitors catch the audio/visual presentation, tour, gift shop, and café; however, there are a few often-overlooked details that are worth a peek:

• Rose Isle Garden – located directly outside the front door along the river, the garden marks the spot where Belleek was first made. Before the current factory and the bridge were built, the site was an island. The showroom features the Rose Isle Garden line which is only available at the factory.
• The Bell – now located beside the information desk, the bell became the official timekeeper in the area ringing for the start of the day, tea break, lunch, and the end of the day. Ask nicely and the staff will even let you give it a ring.
• Utilitarian Ware – while most people imagine Belleek as a luxury brand of porcelain for the table, there was a time when the company produced more utilitarian items like sinks and telegraph insulators. A walk through the museum displays the range of items produced since the 1850s.
• The Guestbook – the museum also includes the company’s original guest book which features an 1870 entry by The Earl & Countess of Spencer… Princess Diana’s ancestors.
• The Flower Room – access to this area is only available on the guided tour. While the entire production process is fascinating, observing the intricate handiwork or the craftspeople in the flower room is a crowd favorite. There, the workers mold each flower and shamrock by hand, as well as, weave strands of clay to create baskets.
• The International Centre Piece – among Belleek’s oldest, most intricate, and expensive pieces, the International Centre Piece was created for the 1900 Paris Exhibition where it won five medals (replicas of the medals are on display in the case). Featuring the symbols of Ireland that also appear on the Belleek mark (the round tower, harp, wolfhound, and shamrock), closer inspection of the stunning piece reveals quite visible repairs to the legs of two of the dogs… the date of the repairs on the over-100-year-old piece are not known. Visitors with a bulging wallet can buy the International Centre Piece which would be made from the orginal mold.

As one might expect, the stop includes an extensive showroom and a delicious tea room that serves full lunches.

More Info:

• Belleek Visitor Centre – www.belleek.com/Company-Info/Visitor-Centre

Written by Corey Taratuta

Corey hosts the Irish Fireside podcast and blog which has been named Best Blog of the Diaspora by the Irish Web Awards. His work has appeared on Google Field Trip, www.Lonely Planet.com, National Public Radio, www.WanderingEducators.com, www.BritMums.com, www.DiscoveryWorld.org, and elsewhere. His web community has been named finalist for the People’s Choice Podcast Awards and Irish Blog Awards, and his Irish travel program has ranked in the iTunes Top 50 Travel Podcasts. Corey’s Tips | Website