Two of the original Pottery workers, Mr. Robert Williams Armstrong, one of the Pottery’s founders, and Mr. William Henshall who is acknowledged for bringing and developing the craft of basket making, are buried in the churchyard.

The clergyman responsible for Belleek Parish, the Revd Noel Regan commented that “the Harvest Service was a thanksgiving for the Harvest and also for the employment given in the area over the last 150 years.” Revd Regan went on to point out that the Pottery “has been responsible for putting the village of Belleek on the map worldwide.”

Revd Regan made reference to the burial place in the churchyard of Mr. Robert Williams Armstrong, civil engineer, architect, inventor, and ceramic historian. A plaque, erected in the church grounds and recently refurbished, acknowledges the Pottery founder and notes that through his zeal and endeavour the name of Belleek is renowned throughout the world. Architectural projects undertaken by Mr. Armstrong included the Manor House, when owned by the Irvines; Killadeas Priory Church; and the Presbyterian Church in Ballyshannon, which closed very recently.

The second pottery stalwart buried in Belleek Parish Churchyard is Mr. Henshall, who was born in Stoke, Staffordshire in 1846 and died in Belleek in 1902. Credited for bringing and developing the craft of basket and flower-making to the Pottery in 1867, he remained at Belleek, working and producing many innovative basket designs, until his death. Earlier this year, a plaque was unveiled in the grounds of the church, in memory of Mr. Henshall, who is famous for creating the Henshall basket. The plaque’s unveiling was performed by Helen Rankin, honouree for 2007, who was also in attendance at the Harvest Service.

During the service, the Bible readings were read by Mr John Maguire, Managing Director of Belleek Pottery, and the Earl of Erne, Lord Lieutenant for County Fermanagh. Other guests included descendants of Robert Armstrong; the Chairman of Fermanagh District Council, Cllr Alex Baird; local MLA, Mr Tommy Gallagher; the Revd Nigel Kirkpatrick, originally from Belleek; Fermanagh High Sheriff, Mrs Rosemary Forde, and Mr. Paul Tubb, member of the Belleek UK Collectors.

Revd Regan said that the Harvest service acknowledged all the people involved in the founding of the Pottery, and was an opportunity to give thanks for their contribution and to continue to build on it.

The address was given by the Rt Revd Dr Michael Jackson, Bishop of Clogher. In his address, the Bishop stated that “throughout the world the name Belleek is renowned for The Pottery, and woven into our thanksgiving is the fact that a community became synonymous with a craft one hundred and fifty years ago by the construction of The Belleek Pottery in 1857. This Harvest Thanksgiving of giving thanks for God’s generosity to his children in creation and in our enjoyment of plenty, is also a celebration of the creativity and generosity of three men, John Caldwell Bloomfield, Robert William Armstrong and David McBirney, who have given to Belleek the distinction of being known and collected world-wide. The God-given talents of three far-sighted people came together in this unique gift to this part of Ireland, and one which has more than stood the test of time.”

The singing at the service was lead by the grouped choir of Garrison, Belleek, Slavin and Kiltyclogher choirs, and the service was followed by refreshments in the Wark Hall, Belleek, where a number of speeches were made, and greetings from Mr George Moore, the current owner of Belleek pottery were delivered.

Pictured are Representatives of Belleek Pottery and guests at the service of thanksgiving in Belleek Parish Church along with Bishop Jackson and Revd Regan