Belleek Pottery Visitor Centre
| County: | Co. Fermanagh |
| Tel: | 028-6865 9300 / 6865 8501 |
| Fax: | 028-6865 8625 |
| Email: | visitorcentre@belleek.ie |
Over two decades belleek Pottery's Visitor Centre has become one of Ireland's most popular tourist attractions. Visitors can discover the secrets that make Belleek Pottery one of the most enduring success stories of Irish craftsmanship. Nestled on the banks of the river Erne in Co. Fermanagh, the Pottery is an imposing Victorian building with modern facilities and a fascinating history that will make each visit a memorable experience. Guided tours take visitors behind the scenes at the pottery, covering all parts of the pottery making process from mould making, to basket making, painting and kiln firing. Visitors can browse through the self guided museum, relax in the tearooms with a choice of refreshment or sit in Belleek's new Rose Isle Garden. The garden has been planted with flowers that have inspired the distinct floral design and delicate painting on Belleek Pottery since its establishment in 1857. Our showroom is the ultimate Aladdin's cave filled with gift ideas for that special purchase, and mailing goods home is possible.
General Information
| Address: | Belleek, Co. Fermanagh, BT93 3FY |
|---|---|
| Telephone; | 028-6865 9300 / 6865 8501 |
| Fax: | 028-6865 8625 |
| Email: | visitorcentre@belleek.ie |
| Website: | http://www.belleek.ie |
| Location: | Situated in Belleek Town |
| Season: | All Year |
| Tours: | Max No: 25, Duration: 30 minutes Languages: English and French |
| Booking Contact: | Patricia McCauley |
| Manager: | Patricia McCauley |
| Average Visit Length: | 1 hour 30 mins |
| Entrance Fees: |
Adult: Stg £4.00 Child: Free |
| Audio Visual: | Seating: 50, Duration: 20 minutes Languages: English, French, German, Italian & Japanese |
| Restaurant: | Yes (seats 90) |
| Picnic Area: | Yes |
| Shop: | Complete Belleek, Aynsley and Galway Irish Crystal Range |
| Information Guide: | English, French, German, Italian, Spanish & Japanese |
| Coach Parking: | Yes |
| Group Booking Necessary: | Yes |
| Car Parking: | Yes |
| Disabled Access/Parking: | Yes, Parking for disabled visitors available |
Schools
Belleek Pottery is looking forward to another successful year as one of Ireland’s leading tourist attractions in 2012. Visitors can discover the secrets that made Belleek Pottery one of the most enduring success stories of Irish craftmanship. Nestled along the banks of the scenic River Erne in County Fermanagh, the pottery is an imposing Victorian building with modern facilities and a fascinating history that will make each visit an experience to remember. Personally guided tours take visitors ‘behind the scenes’ at the pottery . The tour covers all parts in the pottery making process including: mould making, basket making, floral design, kiln firing and decoration.
Pottery Tour
The guided tour takes approximately 30 minutes and covers all of the production areas thereby offering our guests the possibility of meeting with and chatting with our craftspeople; something that we encourage. Discover Mould Making, visit the Casting Department, Kiln Firing and much more on the Belleek Pottery Tour
Rose Isle Garden
This year, visitors can also enjoy Belleek’s new “Rose Isle Garden”. The garden has been planted with flowers that have inspired the distinct floral design and delicate painting on Belleek pottery since its establishment in 1857. Here, visitors can sit back in the beautiful tranquil surroundings beside the River Erne. Visit the Belleek showroom to purchase your own piece of Belleek, relax at the Belleek tearoom with a choice of refreshments and freshly prepared dishes.
Virtual Visit
Want to take a Virtual Visit of Belleek Pottery? You can see what many attractions are like before visiting with this 360 degree view! Click on the button below to see:
Homecoming of the first Belleek Pottery Visitor Book
One of Northern Ireland’s best known businesses and visitor attractions Belleek Pottery, have taken a unique step back into its history today welcoming home the first ever Belleek Pottery Visitor Book.
The book, which dates back to 1st October 1868, was unveiled at a special ceremony at the Belleek Pottery Visitor Centre on Monday April 11th. Among the early visitors to the pottery, who signed the book, is the 5th Earl Spencer, the Great Grand Uncle of the late Princess Diana, who visited the pottery as part of an official visit in his role as Viceroy of Ireland on 12th May, 1870. The current Earl Spencer, and brother of Princess Diana, has written a letter to Belleek Pottery congratulating the Pottery on the return of the Visitors Book and confirming his Great Grand Uncle’s visit. This letter is displayed alongside the Visitor Book.
How and when the Visitor Book came to be lost from the Pottery is unknown but the book was discovered in the attic of a house in Tipperary and sent to auction in 2010. Two members of the Belleek Pottery International Collectors Society in England heard about the auction and bought the book. It is with their kind permission that the book is being loaned to the Pottery for display. Commenting on the return of the Visitor Book to the Pottery’s Museum, Arthur Goan, Operations Director, Belleek Pottery said:
“We are very excited about the return of the Visitor Book and, in particular, to discover our early aristocratic connections. For everyone at Belleek this is an opportunity to reflect on the history of the company. It is also very interesting to see the names and addresses of the people who visited the pottery and great to see some of the well respected names that appear in the book – a true testament to the popularity and craftmanship of Belleek products.
“Without doubt, the unveiling of the Visitors Book is an exciting occasion for all who have been invited and we hope that it serves to remind people of the support that the Belleek Group has had for over 150 years.”
To mark the return of the Book the pottery held an event, designed to truly capture the beginnings of the book, which will featured a re-enactment of the arrival of the Earl Spencer and his entourage played by several local actors.
Opening Times
Jan-Feb:
Mon-Fri: 09.00-17.30
Mar-Jun:
Mon-Fri: 09.00-17.30
Sat: 10.00-17.30 / Sun: 14.00-17.30
Jul-Sept:
Mon-Fri: 09.00-18.00
Sat: 10.00-18.00 / Sun: 12.00-17.30
Oct-Dec:
Mon-Fri: 09.00-17.30
Sat: 10.00-18.00
(Oct only) Sun: 12.00-17.30
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