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

Tell use what you think?
Add any comments or questions about the blog below.