Irish pottery is the ceramic production of Ireland, encompassing earthenware, delftware, porcelain and later studio and art pottery. Although on a smaller scale than the English Staffordshire industry, Irish ceramics have a distinctive history and an enthusiastic following among collectors.
In the eighteenth century Dublin was home to delftware potteries, most notably the factory associated with Henry Delamain, whose tin-glazed wares decorated in blue or manganese are now rare and highly regarded. Country potteries throughout Ireland produced practical slipware, crocks, dairy pans and storage vessels in red earthenware for rural households, and some of these traditions continued well into the twentieth century. The best-known Irish ceramic factory is Belleek in County Fermanagh, founded in the 1850s, famous for its thin, lustrous Parian porcelain, woven basketwork and shell and marine motifs. In the twentieth century Arklow Pottery in County Wicklow produced large quantities of domestic tableware, and Irish studio potters have achieved wide recognition. Collectors look for factory marks, period decoration and good condition, while documented eighteenth-century Irish delftware is particularly scarce and generally requires specialist identification.
