Very few Irish villages the size of Belleek are as well known worldwide. Principally due to the long-established Parian China Factory, 1857. This product has been given the name of BELLEEK and so is classified as a word in the Webber dictionary. As it is the only place west of Enniskillen that the Erne waters can be forded, it became of strategic importance between the warring clans of Ulster and Connacht. Whichever Clan controlled the ford controlled a large area of this island.

When the Vikings first raided Ireland in the 800’s they arrived at the Erne estuary but discovered that the river could not be navigated. A party went inland and found the Erne to be suitable for their boats. They cut down trees and used them as rollers which brought boats over land and relaunched them above the falls. They then carried out raids on the monasteries of Fermanagh.

Following the plantation of Ulster, English forces took control of the ford and the Star Battery and a stone bridge was built by General Lake after the 1698 rebellion. The village in its present form was established by the Caldwell family who had purchased the estate of the planters Blennerhassetts.

The Caldwell family had several steam powered ships built and plied between Belleek and Enniskillen. The construction of the railway and the founding of the pottery had a major part in the development of the village. It was only after this that Belleek was considered important enough to have a Catholic Church, which was built in 1892. Prior to this, St. Michael’s, Mulleek served the needs of the people.

The River Erne was one of the most important rivers in Europe for salmon and eel fishing. The average years catch of salmon was about 60 tons a year and a similar weight of eels were netted. Eels were considered a delicacy on the continent and large numbers were exported to European countries. A local fisherman, Eddie Thornhill, was caught by the bailiff fishing for trout without a licence and found guilty in the local Petty Sessions Court. His case was appealed going through the various processes of the law ending in the House of Lords. They found in his favour and free trout fishing became legal on the river.

In the early 1800’s the local constabulary was replaced by the R.I.C. and a medical service set up with a Dr William Irvine who is buried in Teetunney cemetery. The dispensary house where he resided is now owned by the McEniff family. With the partition of the country in 1924 came many changes to the village with smuggling becoming a popular, if illegal, profession.

Until around 1960, cattle fairs were held on the Main Street.

Over the years, Belleek produced several notable people, one of the best known was the late Dr Edward Daly, Bishop of Derry. Thankfully the village still thrives and has adopted to modern life.

Contributor: Joe O’Loughlin BEM