A number of people are quite interested to know about Belleek china because it is considered as one of the most exquisite pottery that has ever been produced and also the oldest in Ireland. Considering that it has been around since 1857, Belleek Irish china pieces are also regarded to have come from a long history of high quality standards and excellent craftsmanship. So it is no surprise that the china pieces produced by Belleek are valued by a number of collectors worldwide.

Where Belleek China Pieces Are Made

Belleek china pieces originated from a very tiny market town located at the western area of County Fermanagh in Northern Ireland that is right on the River Erne. At present, Belleek, as the town is called, is still a market town but a flourishing one with its number of shops, pubs, restaurants, and even a hotel. The name of the town is more known though for the exquisite china that is manufactured there by the oldest pottery in the whole of Ireland and that is Belleek Pottery.

Founded in 1857 in Belleek, Belleek Pottery has a very special standing in the commercial and cultural heritage not only of the small town but of the County Fermanagh as well. As such, you can expect that the home of the Belleek Irish china is considered as one of the top five tourist attractions in Ireland. The interiors of the impressive building of the Belleek Pottery, which was used in the production of Belleek china until 1988, has been refurbished and now boasts of a showroom, museum, video theatre, and a tearoom.

The People Who Hold Belleek China Close to Their Hearts

Because of the great reputation that Belleek china has when it comes to quality and craftsmanship, it has its own international society of collectors known as the Belleek Collectors’ International Society. Established in 1979 by Richard K. Degenhardt (deceased), the society has an estimated 7,500 members that can be found in 29 local chapters.

The members of this society are known as avid supporters of the company and are even considered as its marketing arm. This is because a great number of these members are owners of hundreds of Belleek china pieces with some of them even designating a special room in their homes for their collection. The pieces in these members' collections have either been bought personally over a number of years or have been handed down to them from the previous generations of their families.

You Can Start Your Own Belleek China Collection

So if you are interested in having your own Belleek china collection, then there is now an easy way for you to procure a number of its exquisite pieces. You could simply go online on the Internet and always be on the lookout for sites that sell these items. If you know what you are looking for, then the probability of your scoring the best Belleek Irish china finds is very high.

You should visit Irish Indeed! to take a look at their offerings of Belleek china pieces. With the designs and types of Belleek items that they have, you could probably score an excellent find to start off your collection in no time at all.

By: Jenn Jamie