Discover Belleek

Belleek brings together the town’s porcelain-making tradition and its setting on the River Erne. When choosing a destination for culture and scenery, two distinct themes stand out: the history and production at Belleek Pottery, and the riverside and viewpoints in the surrounding area. The Marina Walk and Castle Caldwell Forest add to these options.

The history of porcelain in Belleek

Belleek Pottery was founded in 1857. A later chapter in its history is the Belleek International Centre Piece: it was exhibited at the Paris Exposition in 1900, where it received its fourth gold medal. These dates mark different aspects of the porcelain-making tradition—the founding of the pottery and an award for a particular piece at an exhibition.

At Belleek Pottery, original and unique pieces are made using traditional methods passed down through generations. The renovated production building at the Belleek Pottery Visitor Centre houses a museum, tea room, video theatre and exhibition space. These facilities offer different experiences: the museum, video and exhibition complement the tea room in the same building.

The Visitor Centre is within Belleek’s town limits. The town’s shops, cafés and pubs are about a five-minute walk away. This gives you a sense of the centre’s location both within the village and in relation to these amenities.

The guided Belleek Pottery tour lasts 30 minutes and demonstrates the 16 stages of production. The activities shown include moulding, floral ornamentation, painting and basket weaving. The Hands-on Belleek Experience offers a different focus: under the guidance of experienced team members, visitors can engage directly with porcelain-making and the craft passed down through generations. If you’re weighing up the two formats, the difference is clear: the tour takes you through the production process, while the Hands-on Experience invites you to try your hand at the craft.

The River Erne, viewpoints and walking trails

Belleek Pottery is on the banks of the River Erne. At Belleek, the Erne flows from Fermanagh into Donegal; the Erne-Shannon Waterway also begins or ends in Belleek, depending on your perspective. The first describes the river’s cross-border course; the second describes the waterway’s location at its beginning or end.

Locals and visitors can occasionally fish on the River Erne near Belleek Marina. If you plan to fish, check local permit requirements beforehand. The Marina Walk is an easy walking trail just a few minutes from Belleek village. Fishing and walking are different ways to enjoy the riverside setting.

Rathmore Viewpoint above Belleek was once a defensive fort and offers panoramic views of the surrounding countryside. History and scenery come together here: the site’s historical function and its views across the landscape are two distinct aspects of its significance.

Castle Caldwell Forest is an ancient woodland on the northern shores of Lower Lough Erne. It is about 5 miles (8 kilometres) from Belleek via the Boa Island Road. This adds woodland on the lakeshore to the river and viewpoint as another way to experience the landscape.

Rossnowlagh and Bundoran in South Donegal are less than 10 kilometres from Belleek; both are on the Wild Atlantic Way. For regional orientation, these are two more named places, while Castle Caldwell Forest brings Lower Lough Erne and its northern shores into focus.

Insights into the connection between the village and the pottery

Belleek Church is also part of the village’s cultural history. In 2009, three stained-glass windows featuring pottery motifs were installed there, depicting the longstanding ties between the community and Belleek Pottery. This adds a distinct perspective on the pottery’s connection with the community to its history of founding and production.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Lisnarrick, Enniskillen, Aghnablaney, Drumgoon, Newtownbutler, Ederney, Derrygonnelly, Letterbreen.

For the overview of the wider area: Fermanagh.