Waterford City was established in Viking times and it retains its medieval flavor and riverside activity. There, in 1783, the brothers George and William Penrose founded the Waterford Glass House, promising to make crystal in "as fine a quality as any in Europe...in the most elegant style." Their secret formula created crystal with unusual qualities: When tapped, it sang sweetly. When touched,it felt warm and soft; yet it possessed strength and durability. The crystal shone with a brilliance that ensured its desirability.
Today, two hundred years later, Waterford Crystal is made exactly the same way. The process is labor-intensive, and each piece turns out a one-of-a-kind masterpiece, created by a master craftsman. The lengthy procedure is described in detail at Waterford Crystal.
Equally beautiful and a pleasure to own is Belleek china. Belleek, home of Ireland's oldest pottery,lies on the banks of the River Erne. This well-loved parian china has been produced there for 142 years. It is a truly original piece of Irish craftsmanship, made using materials and techniques handed down from generation to generation. No two pieces are ever the same.
Belleek's reputation depends on product excellence and only Belleek of the very highest quality is ever put on sale. In 1857 the pottery's founder John Caldwell Bloomfield established the policy that no flawed piece would ever be sold, but would be destroyed. You'll find no "seconds" of Belleek at any bargain outlet! One of the most extensive inventories online can be found at Reed & Barton.
Irish linen is well-known for its richness, fine drape, and durability. Although pure linen is manufactured in different parts of the world, Irish linen is recognised widely for the fineness of the yarns and woven cloth still created by Irish spinners and weavers, as well as the skills that are handed down through generations. The softness of the water in Irish streams used for bleaching, dyeing and finishing, contributes to the matchless quality of fine Irish linen. An excellent resource for ordering Irish linen can be found at House of Ireland, which also carries Belleek, Waterford and other products of Ireland.
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