In 1849, mineralogist John Caldwell Bloomfield had a geological survey done on land he inherited which was located in Belleek, County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland. The conclusions of the survey found the land to be rich in minerals. Hoping to provide employment for those who had been affected by the Irish potato famine, Bloomfield (along with two partners) set up a pottery business. In 1863 they began to produce Parian pottery, which today is known as Belleek pottery.
The resulting company (Belleek Pottery Works, Ltd) continues to operate from its Belleek, County Fermanagh headquarters in Northern Ireland and their products are still in demand. Their appeal has captured the hearts of fine, decorative collectors all around the world.
irish belleek
