ceramics

ceramics. Archaeology clearly documents the use of pottery in Ireland from the Neolithic through to the medieval period. The arrival of oriental porcelain in Ireland during the early 18th century prompted the Irish to attempt to produce fine wares for the table. Delftware factories, making tin‐glazed earthenware, were established' in Belfast in 1698 and in Dublin about 1735. The Dublin pottery went through various hands before being taken over by Henry Delamain in 1752. It produced wares on a large scale until its closure in c.1767. Other delftware potteries were in existence for short periods in Rostrevor, Youghal, and possibly Limerick. In Belfast the Downshire Pottery (c.1790–1807) had been set up to make a refined earthenware for the table called creamware.

Although 18th‐century attempts to create porcelain in Ireland were unsuccessful, retailers were able to satisfy demand through imports. Towards the end of the 18th century, the number of fine ceramic retailers grew. In Dublin Josiah Wedgwood and James Donovan had shops, furnished with kilns, which allowed them to decorate and personalize imported English porcelain.

Throughout the 19th century, many local potteries were established to produce domestic earthenware. These included nine around the Coalisland area, and others at Castle Espie, Youghal, and Larne. The pottery at Belleek, founded by David McBirney in 1863, also produced quantities of earthenware for the local domestic market, but is better known as the first pottery in Ireland to produce porcelain. Belleek's distinctive style of exceptionally fine parian porcelain has now become world famous and is still in production today.

The rise of art pottery in England and Europe only briefly touched Ireland. Frederick Vodrey (1845–97) produced art pottery in Dublin from around 1873 until 1897. His work was characterized by classical shapes decorated with either monochrome or streaked glazes. Around the turn of the century members of the Irish Decorative Arts Association decorated blank pottery with Celtic designs but it was not until 1929, when Kathleen Cox (1904–74) set up a studio in Dublin, that real art or studio pottery was produced in Ireland. During the 20th century new potteries were established to produce domestic and tourist wares. These included Carrigaline (1928–79), Arklow (1934– ), and Wade (1946–90) in Armagh. In 1965 the Irish government established the Kilkenny Design Workshops and in 1970 the World Crafts Council Conference was held in Ireland. The following year saw the formation of the Crafts Council of Ireland. These bodies have helped to establish studio potteries and continue to support the many ceramic artists working in Ireland today producing both functional and sculptural ceramic work.

Bibliography

Archer, M. , Irish Pottery and Porcelain (1979)
Dunlevy, M. , Ceramics in Ireland (1988)
Francis, P. , Irish Delftware: An Illustrated History (2000)

Kim Mawhinney