Coarse Ware

Carley’s Bridge Potteries, located near Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford, claims to be Ireland’s oldest pottery, having been founded in the 1650’s, and still working today, producing earthenware pottery for well over 300 years. The pottery makes bulb bowls, seed pans, chimney cowls, and all shapes of plain and decorative garden pots.

The pottery is located beside the ‘marl field’. Marl is the local name for the clay used; specifically a blue marl. The process begins with clay being dug, preferably in the summer. It’s left to weather and rest to improve its plasticity. After this, it is put through a ‘pug mill’ to give the clay strength and remove air pockets. Previously it also made buttermilk crocks and milk or cream pans, as demand necessitated.

 

Wedges of clay, ready for the potter.

These have been screened to remove larger particles and passed through the pug mill to remove air pockets and add compression.

Copyright David Shaw-Smith

Wedges of clay, ready for the potter.
Copyright David Shaw-Smith

Wedges of clay, ready for the potter.

These have been screened to remove larger particles and passed through the pug mill to remove air pockets and add compression.

Copyright David Shaw-Smith

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Starting to raise the pot on the wheel.

Copyright David Shaw-Smith

Starting to raise the pot on the wheel.
Copyright David Shaw-Smith

Starting to raise the pot on the wheel.

Copyright David Shaw-Smith

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The clay is now ready for the potter to wedge or knead which further compacts and mixes it. Forming a ball, he places it on the potter’s wheel - either operated by foot treadle or motor.

 

Master potter, Paddy Murphy raises a large flower pot on the wheel.

Copyright David Shaw-Smith

Master potter, Paddy Murphy raises a large flower pot on the wheel.
Copyright David Shaw-Smith

Master potter, Paddy Murphy raises a large flower pot on the wheel.

Copyright David Shaw-Smith

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Decorating a pot with a roller.

Copyright David Shaw-Smith

Decorating a pot with a roller.
Copyright David Shaw-Smith

Decorating a pot with a roller.

Copyright David Shaw-Smith

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He skilfully forms the pot on the spinning wheel by opening out the ball of clay until it resembles a pot, making sure it is kept damp and slippery. A skilled potter can make a large garden pot in about five minutes, including any simple embossed decoration.

Firing the pots in the downdraught kiln using coal as fuel.

Copyright David Shaw-Smith

Firing the pots in the downdraught kiln using coal as fuel.
Copyright David Shaw-Smith

Firing the pots in the downdraught kiln using coal as fuel.

Copyright David Shaw-Smith

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Willie Cogley monitors the firing of the kiln.

Copyright David Shaw-Smith

Willie Cogley monitors the firing of the kiln.
Copyright David Shaw-Smith

Willie Cogley monitors the firing of the kiln.

Copyright David Shaw-Smith

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A pot must be evenly air dried before firing to prevent cracking and subsequent destruction in the kiln. A large pot can take from five to six days to dry. Once dry, it’s ready for the kiln. Kilns vary in size and fuel used. The kiln at Carley’s Bridge is a downdraught one, fed by coal. It can take about three days to fill; stacking pots upside down, the largest ones at the top, where the heat is greatest. The firing commences and the temperature is raised to the correct 1200° centigrade.

The kiln is then left to slowly cool, which can take several days. The cooled pots are taken out, ready for use. From cold grey clay to cheery terracotta pots.