Belleek, Saturday, July 28th

This is the post that I have had difficulty posting the picture on my ipad so now I am trying on my computer.  This was Sue's third trip to Ireland and she was determined to finally visit the Belleek factory, which is located in the town of Belleek.  We, of course, were happy to visit as well.  I have a couple of small pieces from my first trip to Ireland but I hadn't been to the factory either.

If you look on a map, Belleek is right on the western border of Northern Ireland in County Fermanagh.  We headed back to Derry and then south.  We were around Derry several times but didn't have time to explore it.  It was pouring Saturday, and I mean pouring rain.

As we entered the factory, awaiting our tour, we had a glimpse of some historic examples of Belleek in their museum.

And then we went into the factory.  It was a Saturday so only a few of the crafts people were there.  First, we learned how they make the molds.

Then we saw the green ware that comes out of the moulds.  The material that becomes Belleek Parian china is a creamy coloured liquid formed by mixing China Clay, Feldspar, and Frit.  Frit is used in making glass.   That is our guide by the way. 

Next, we met two of the master craftsmen, both had worked for Belleek for more than 40 years.  One of them showed us how to put together a teapot.  I couldn't help but think of my students and their pottery projects this year!

We learned how they make those fancy baskets, no molds for these.

We watched how flowers are made.

When I asked these ladies if they had Belleek at home, they told me they had households full.  It seemed to us that Belleek was a good employer.  It is difficult and perhaps tedious work but they must have a real sense of satisfaction!

Next we learned about biscuit firing.  Kilns are fired to 1200 degrees centigrade and then there is a very gradual cooling process.  Each piece is inspected and if not perfect, it is destroyed.  There are no seconds at Belleek!  Here you can see the shrinkage that occurs.

Now each piece is dipped individually into a special recipe that contains borax and Frit so that the Belleek china has its distinctive pearl-like surface.

After the pieces are dried for about two minutes under an infra-red heater, the next step is glass firing where the glaze is blended to the Parian at a temperature of 1000 degrees centigrade.

Then the china is stamped if it passes a final inspection.  If it doesn't, it's destroyed!  Stamps change every decade or so.

The next step is painting if required.  We met one of their artists.

The final step is enamel firing at 760 degrees centigrade to fuse the trademark into bottom and the paint permanently fixed.

You can see here the change that takes place with this final firing.

Here are some samples of some of their finished work. 

I bought a lovely mint tray and Sue has some new mugs.  Now we found some very competitive prices at one of the duty free shops at the airport as well! 
We had lunch at the tearoom in the factory but when we walked into the village we discovered the place where we should have had lunch.  But we did have dessert!

Now we didn't go here but we think someone has competition.

All in all, Belleek was charming despite the rain!