Peninsula Pottery

Category: Irish Pottery

  • The cow may stay on the moon

    The cow may stay on the moon

    As the setter paws the bench and protrudes the tongue like a fly catching frog…the butterdish tumbles to the floor…  ‘Ah well’ one thinks ‘one thing less to pack when leaving our broken home.’  Now, just need to find a good home for the dog.  Albeit, one who tidies away their food stuffs! Maybe dogs aren’t for messy homes?  Orderly and uncluttered makes sense.  They are the type of people who will stick to routine and follow protocol and not merely rely on a few Youtube videos and excite the dog so much, it replaces the cow that jumped over the moon!

    But this piece wasn’t meant to be about dog-people personalities (maybe a bit about the cow), it’s about the personality that is hopeful.   We can’t change the fact that the butterdish is broken, like the Mica and Pyrite homes.   What we have seen, is a change in attitude.  For all those involved in the Mica Action Group public & private, thank you for making us believe that we deserve better, to be heard, to change the minds of government and aspire to the best terms for redress.

    As COP26 continues what gives hope is that the thousands of rebuilds have the potential to be the best environmentally friendly and energy efficient homes, meeting building climate change targets.  That would be the ‘butter’ icing on the cloud. (Love mixing up the idioms – my husband is classic – killing 1 bird with half a dozen eggs!) Not literally, for all you ornithologists out there.  Anyway getting back to the point, for the less than half a dozen readers…Let us hope that the housing minister financially supports the rebuilds to be carbon neutral.  Not only Best for the environment but provides one less clean-up in our clutter…no more ASHES!  Now that would be butter-icing.

    As for the butter, cutting the methane and replacing the cow that jumped the moon, might be a harder challenge. I don’t think I could start calling the broken bowl- ‘the vegan spread dish.’  Like our new carbon neutral homes to come, doesn’t everyone deserve their bread and butter!

  • A clock in that time meant nine: The gift of a story

    A clock in that time meant nine: The gift of a story

    My brother got married in the late 80’s.  This was a time when every aunty arrived with hoovers, deep-fat-friers and the quint essential carriage clocks, of which they received 9 (we’ve countless aunties)!  Needless to say some of these twirling, ball-bearing domes had been passed on from cousins who got married the month before and thus were also passed on to the next (I wouldn’t say unsuspecting) bride and groom.  And there the story becomes legend about the carriage clocks that were ‘carriaged’ around all the cousins getting married in the summer of 89.

    What a difference a generation makes.   Now we spend our carriage clock time scrolling with our index finger, overloading our consumerised retinas, scanning for the perfect gift that says ‘pick me!!’

    So as the courier rolls up with the brown amazon box all the way from Kurdistan… the most taxing thing we have to do is sign for it…and then there’s the slight guilt about lack of effort, even though we trolled for hours.

    So maybe it’s not so much the gift, but the story behind it, that lives on in the memory.  Now unless you’re Billy Connolly, it’s difficult to conceive the hilarity of a brown box, with a smile, arriving at the door.  However, when we visit our nearest craft shop, the owner will inform about the makers back story, the process, the product’s historical/geographical/modern concept and lots of other little quirks and sometimes a funny story to accompany it.

    So if we’re looking for a ‘carriage clock’ story that stands the test of time maybe give our index fingers a rest and  actively ‘look local’ for it.

  • Smelly homes; can now blame the Pup

    Smelly homes; can now blame the Pup

    Just as all are throwing open their front doors again, with fluffed up ‘welcome’ mats, in the anticipation of the long-forgotten visitor (and for the superstitious among you-anyone but the red head, as the first footer); I’m running to the door (not to throw arms around non-tactile, unsuspecting postman) but to quick slam it shut!  Why…our house smells of poo!  When all are late spring cleaning, pretending they didn’t live in squalor for a year, we have got it arse-about-face (there’s a pun in that.)

    Yep, we’ve invested in a pup and all the smells that come with them…just as the rehoming centres will start to bulge at the doors. But sure, isn’t it meant to be good business practice to ‘buy when all are selling.’  Little Red-Setter Nemo, is not a financial investment though.  She puts the bank balance in the Red.  ‘Crates’ of money go on those pinching jags and all those accompanying accessories to sink her teeth into.  Not to mention the replacements, as I grab the last remaining Peninsula Pottery snack bowl (advert alert) ; ) from the low table.  However, these material losses have turned into loving gains.

    Forgetting those middle-of-the-night pees; the Pottery, Farming Affirmation-card states ‘Effort is it’s own reward, connecting us to our animals….when we are connected, we are satisfied.’ I’ll keep to this philosophy and ignore the superstition about 1st footer (or 4 pawed) redheads.

    As for the wafting scent…the postman reassured me there was no change in the aroma…my house always smelt like that!!!

  • If google can’t answer; Inishowen Heritage can.

    If google can’t answer; Inishowen Heritage can.

    Google has answered many historical fact squabbles in our house, but there’s somethings in life, google can’t solve: that being, an engaging experience.  Exploring the west coast of the peninsula with Inishowen Tourism not only drew attention to the abundance of local heritage sites but embededd memories of ‘feast for the eyes’ scenery and enriched it with history.

    Inishowen Tourist office linked with Dessie McCallion

    Dessie and all those who impart their knowledge of culture and heritage, are our real national treasures.  Beginning with discussing the importance of the linen industry employing around 3000, made you ponder how the economy has transformed in 2 generations and how we’ve adapted. This tied with our visit to Glendowen Craft Shop, where Ann only uses Donegal tweed to create her bespoke garments. Other experiences included; the biting wind at Dunree, provoking empathy for the trainiee military stationed there: The Presbyterian Graveyard at Fahan and the explantions for Catholic Priests buried there :  The failed entrepreneurial attempts at Inch, and how it has been a silver lining for the bird population; hence now The Inch Wildlife Reserve.

    The wonderful heritage info wasn’t confined to the stops. As we meandered along the country roads, Dessie pointed out Mass Rocks from Penial Times, Lazy Beds dating back to the Neolithic era, the old Railway and a golden eagle even swooped in line of the tour bus.  Making it sound like idyllic Inishowen, Donegal, well it is!  There was much, much more but I’m not going to spoil the surprise…take your heritage journey soon.

    Memories don’t exist in a google blog.

    You can’t capture this experience in a blog.  I try to emulate it in my pottery.  Glazing with muted tones that dominate the peninsula’s coast and hand painting scenes of ancient monuments and iconic architecture.  But, you must witness it first, to conceive the captivating moments….for me that is the answer.

  • Pottery: Where to buy

    Pottery: Where to buy

    Where’s best to sell you’re product. Online/fairs and events/high street (or rather “bespoke” street.) The answer depends on your individual lifestyle. In an ideal world we don’t put all our eggs in 1 basket…but do we have to stretch ourselves thin…isn’t one of the reasons we chose this path, is to balance work/play. So I found having young children; supplying peninsula pottery to craft shops work’s best for me. Ok you take a smaller cut, but you can plan your work around the family, and sometimes it’s nice to give the middle man/woman a cut, if it means saving our town centres. Nobody wants to see shutters down. Obviously you won’t want to be losing the power of communication (working solo we all start talking to ourselves)so opting for a few events that suit your schedule, means you’re not only engaging with the customer, but also your fellow designers who aren’t your competition but your info point and idea sharers…we all need support. In saying that I do sell online but mostly this just gives credibility to my business when approving a new buyer.
    Don’t take this all as Gospel, make your own Holy Grail. Good luck

  • Priceless Packaging

    Priceless Packaging

    pottery ireland packagingWhooo (no this isn’t a scary ghost noise) it’s the reaction your gift receiver will have when they’re given Peninsula Pottery in its new packaging. Bespoke, luxury, laminated bags, differently sized to fit your present snugly. Lots of gift ideas for the upcoming festive season.

    For Tea and Coffee Enthusiasts: Cup & Saucer, or expresso pots, include their favourite condiment. For those who enjoy a stronger beverage add a mini bottle of Bushmills, for the perfect Irish Coffee.

    For the savoury nibblers: Server & Ramekins. Dairy lovers will be delighted with the local scenery hand painted on Peninsula Butter Dishes. Lots more too, just contact me. 0868789117

  • Donegal Women In Business Extract

    Donegal Women In Business Extract

    Delighted to be in Donegal Women In Business Site. Here is the extract below.

    Lorraine O’Carroll – Turning local landscapes, into unique homeware.
    From ancient dolmens to the coastline’s iconic lighthouses and our lands imposing historical architecture, the potter embodies these on wares thrown on the wheel.
    She also encompasses the symbolic circle, which in Celtic tradition, embellishes protection- from fairy rings to burial sites. Glazing with the muted colours that dominate the Irish skies, the potter has taken a painting and given it purpose.

    View Source material

  • Clonmany Craft Fair

    Clonmany Craft Fair

    Thanks for all the encouragement and support. Loved the Clonmany craft fair yesterday …hope you all enjoy yer cuppa’s this morning! Will get more photo’s up soon…. summer hols have been hectic!!