In Touch With The Past at Inishowen Bogwood Sculptures

By Denise Henry, Marketing, Inishowen Tourism

Mary Doherty, pictured above, comes from Bocan in Inishowen, an area steeped in legend and history. Using bogwood, an ancient material found on the landscape, Mary crafts beautiful wooden sculptures. Mary had "always wanted to work with wood" and in 1993 attended a week long course on Bogwood Sculpture at Esker Redemptorist Monastery in Athenry. Following the course, Mary has perfected her craft over the past 22 years. With a growing collection of sculptures, Marys husband Sean, a Joiner and Carpenter, built a studio on the grounds, see below, to display the unique collection of bogwood.

Bogwood originates from forests that once grew in this area 1000s of years ago. The forests consisted of oak, yew and pine and grew where bog land now exists. Over time, the wood has decayed and undergone a process of chemical change which gives the wood its unique colour and texture.

From Raw Wood to Finished Material

The bogwood that is crafted has come to the surface due to turf cutting. Turf is extracted from these bogs and used in Ireland as a fuel source. You can see from the image above that the sculptures on display are of a variety of colours and sizes. Over the years bog oak changes to a striking black, yew to a reddish brown and pine to a golden yellow. Once Mary has located the bogwood it is brought back and stored in an open shelter, pictured below, where it will dry naturally. As you will find out during your visit, the drying process can take between 3 to 5 years.

Crafting a Piece of Bogwood

When dry, Mary begins to remove the dead wood with a mallet and chisel, describing the process as going "with the wood" and "whatever comes from it is completely unique". The wood is then carefully sanded into a chosen form at her workshop, pictured below. The wood is then, over several days, coated with linseed oil. To prevent the wood from becoming dull, Mary finishes off by coating the wood with her own homemade beeswax, inspired by her late mothers recipe. Mary describes the work as "very time consuming but loves working with the piece to see what comes from it”

Click below to learn about Marys first piece of sculpted Bogwood. During your visit you will have the opportunity to see this piece and the different areas the wood is stored and sculpted.

Inishowen Bogwood: In High Demand

With encouragement from friends and family Mary began to exhibit her work at local craft fairs and soon her work was in high demand. To date Mary has exhibited all over the world and has been commissioned, to name but a few, to make pieces for John Hume, a co-recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize, Peter Robinson, First Minister of Northern Ireland and Jean Kennedy Smith, a previous Ambassador for the United States.

Connected to The Past: Shapes in The Wood

Mary has a connection to each piece she creates stating that “When I number the sculpture I give it a name but I don’t share this with my customers because I like them to tell me what they see in the sculpture, as everyone sees them differently”. During your visit you can expect to find curious shapes in each piece adding to the unique nature of the wood carefully crafted by Mary. As a result of the skill and craftsmanship you will see at the Studio, Marys bogwood sculptures has been shipped globally. On a visit to the studio you will leave with a newfound appreciation of her craft and of the ancient landscape from which it is taken.

Find Out More!
http://www.inishowenbogwoodsculptures.com/
https://www.facebook.com/Inishowen-Bogwood-Sculptures-196393333760997

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Getting Creative at Moville Pottery, Inishowen

By Denise Henry, Marketing Assistant, Inishowen Tourism

At Moville Pottery you have the opportunity to get hands on and be creative. A particular example is the "Paint Your Own Pot" activity which takes place in the workshop adjacent to the shop. You have the option to chose the design and type of pot you will paint and an added bonus is you get to view the process of pot making happen right beside you. 

Lowry Wasson and Brian McLaughlin, owner, director and potter at Moville Pottery, invited me to their pottery workshop to see how and where their pottery range is hand crafted and created. In the above, behind the scenes shot, a selection of mugs are being air dried before they are given the first of two firings in the kilns pictured below on the left hand side.

The Creative Process: How to Make Pottery at Moville Pottery

Having never made pottery before, Lowry steps me through the process. Pictured above on the right hand side is a pug mill where clay is passed through to get rid of any air or lumps.

The Art of Throwing Clay in Inishowen

The clay is carefully measured into individual balls, pictured above & hand thrown on the potter's wheel. You can see Lowry below giving a demonstration of this artistic process. Lowry was trained by some of the best "Throwers" in the World, training in Ireland, Northern Ireland and Europe. You will notice Lowry makes it look very easy!

After the handcrafted pots have half dried, they are put back on the wheel and additions, like the handles for the mugs can be added. After the first firing, the pots are skillfully hand glazed & decorated. The last stage is for the pots to be packed into the kiln and fired to 1220 degrees Celsius, which Lowry explains "creates a shiny effect" on the pottery and "being fired to this temperature allows the pottery pieces to be microwaved and placed in the oven without cracking"

The artistic and creative process is then complete and the pots are cooled and ready to be shipped, collected by the customer or placed on display for you to view or purchase in the shop, pictured above. 

Stars go Potty for Moville Pottery

Moville Pottery is not only popular with locals and visitors, but also with famous movie stars. Lowry & Brian, "were delighted to place an order for iconic movie stars like Marlon Brando, Johnny Depp and local star Art Parkinson, who played Rickon Stark in Game of Thrones.". Recently the team had a stand of Moville Pottery in a scene shot during the popular TV production "Jack Taylor".

Whether you visit to view Moville Potterys range of pottery and local craft on display in the shop or to get hands on in the workshop, you will leave with an appreciation of the skill and artistic craft involved in making pottery.

Find Out More About Moville Pottery

http://www.movillepottery.com/

https://www.facebook.com/movillepottery

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Getting Crafty at Moville Pottery, Inishowen

By Denise Henry, Marketing Assistant, Inishowen Tourism

Overlooking the picturesque town of Moville, Inishowen, there is a hub of craft called Moville Pottery. Moville Pottery is owned and run by Lowry Wasson and partner Brian McLaughin. 

"How Could you Live in Inishowen and Not be Inspired"

Arriving at the entrance, prepare to be greeted by Lacey pictured above. The shop itself is bright, spacious and full of coloured mugs and dinnerware of all shapes and sizes. On closer inspection you see the intricate designs and layered textures on their pottery range, that I found was chiefly "inspired by the Inishowen landscape". At every corner is an example of beautifully crafted, contemporary pieces of work, which include products from local craftspeople in Inishowen and the North West of Ireland.

From the Worlds Largest Tea Pots to Ceramic Speakers

At Moville Pottery you will get the chance to see, what was once the worlds largest tea pot that can hold up to 23 gallons of tea!! and the only example of a working ceramic speaker system in Ireland. They are fantastic examples of some of the innovation and craft that you will see at every stage of your visit from shop floor to workshop.

The popular Galaxy Green range pictured below, is inspired by the colours and textures of Kinnagoe Bay, an area steeped in history and natural beauty on the Eastern side of the Inishowen Peninsula. The formation and shape of the rugged rocks at Kinnagoe, and Five Fingers Strand, near Malin Head, inspire the shape and design of some of their pottery. 

Moville Pottery in High Demand

Having celebrated over forty years in business, owners Lowry and Brian, have built up an impressive range of pottery that is in high demand in Ireland and internationally. Commissions have been requested by cafes, restaurants, hair and beauty salons and other businesses throughout Inishowen, Ireland, Northern Ireland, and Spain.

Both Lowry and the staff take time during your visit to answer any questions about the pottery making process, including the inspiration behind their designs. Upon invitation, you also have the opportunity to view their workshop, pictured above. 

Tune in next week to find out more about how Lowry and Brian make there unique pots and find out a little about some movie stars that are sipping tea out of a Moville Pottery mug!

Find Out More About Moville Pottery
http://www.movillepottery.com/
https://www.facebook.com/movillepottery

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