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-SmithWedges 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-SmithThe 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.
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.
A few of the potter’s tools.
A selection of rollers for applied decoration, a metal disc called a rib for shaping the inside and outside of a pot after it has been raised and for removing throwing rings, and a length of wire with two wooden toggles on each end for slicing free a completed pot from the wheel.
Copyright David Shaw-SmithA few of the potter’s tools.
A selection of rollers for applied decoration, a metal disc called a rib for shaping the inside and outside of a pot after it has been raised and for removing throwing rings, and a length of wire with two wooden toggles on each end for slicing free a completed pot from the wheel.
Copyright David Shaw-SmithFiring 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
Willie Cogley monitors the firing of the kiln.
Copyright David Shaw-Smith
Willie Cogley monitors the firing of the kiln.
Copyright David Shaw-Smith
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.
Upload to this page
Add your photos, text, videos, etc. to this page.
Map Search
Content
History & Heritage
- History of Ireland
- Architecture
- Big Houses of Ireland
- Built Heritage 1700 - Today
- Folklore of Ireland
- Heritage Towns
- Irish Genealogy
- Monuments & Built Heritage
- Pages in History
- Poor Law Union
- Special Collections
- Traditional Crafts