Author - John B. Cunningham

This is the unique and unlikely story of the building of a pottery in the remote west of Ireland in the middle of the Victorian era, of its battle for survival against all odds and its eventual identification with the highest skills and achievements of the people of Ireland.

As long ago as 1918 the Irish Times wrote, "The Belleek Pottery is one of those institutions - like Guinness' Brewery and the Belfast shipyards - which the mention of Ireland's name brings into the minds of men of all nations. The Belleek ware has ranked for generations in the first flight of the achievements of the plastic art. Its grace of design and delicacy of texture are an advertisement through the world of the skill and taste of Irish craftsmanship."

This book tells the story of the world famous Belleek Pottery from the discovery of china clay and feldspar on the estate of the local landlord John C. Bloomfield and this man's restless search for financial backing and people with the expertise to turn these local materials into fine china and provide vital employment in the locality in post-famine years. It is the story of the people of Belleek and how their little village is probably the most famous Irish village in the world.

The book has 79 A4 pages, 6 colour and 44 black and white photographs and two maps. Available for £20 plus £5 P&P.