Jun 09
24
Belleek has welcomed 2.5million visitors
Belleek Pottery Visitors Centre is 20 years old
Fermanagh’s Belleek Pottery celebrated big on Monday as they welcomed Mel York from Arizona as the 2,500,000th visitor through its doors. This milestone comes as the Pottery celebrates the 20th anniversary of its award winning Visitor Centre.
Since it was opened in 1989, the Belleek Pottery Visitor Centre has become one of Northern Ireland’s most popular tourist attractions. This year the Pottery expects its annual visitor figures to exceed 200,000.
To mark the Centre’s anniversary, the Pottery hosted a special event for representatives from the Northern Ireland and Co. Fermanagh tourism sector. Guests included Alan Clarke, Chief Executive, Northern Ireland Tourist Board and Councillor Bertie Kerr, Chairman, Fermanagh District Council.
Announcing the Centre’s visitor numbers success, Arthur Goan, Operations Director, Belleek Pottery said -
“We are delighted to have achieved such an important milestone in the life of the Visitor Centre. To have reached the 2.5 million visitor mark is a very obvious endorsement of the Belleek Pottery visitor experience and of the investment we have made, and continue to make, in state-of-the-art visitor facilities and services. The potential for growth in the Northern Ireland tourism sector is widely recognised and at Belleek we look forward to playing our part in attracting and serving an expanding visitor market over the coming years”.
Paying tribute to the contribution that the Belleek Pottery Visitor Centre team has made to Northern Ireland tourism, Alan Clarke, Chief Executive, Northern Ireland Tourist Board said –
“Belleek Pottery is special tourist attraction that enjoys a worldwide reputation for creativity and craftsmanship and delivers a truly world class visitor experience. The Belleek Visitor Centre represents the very best of what sets Northern Ireland apart from other tourist destinations around the world, a unique combination of heritage, artistry and ingenuity. Warmest congratulations to everyone involved in making this centre such a great success.”
Also speaking at the event, Councillor Bertie Kerr, Chairman, Fermanagh District Council said -
“The Pottery plays a very significant role in the tourism sector in Co. Fermanagh. With a history that stretches back over 150 years and an international brand reputation, Belleek Pottery is a very significant draw for visitors to the county. While we enjoy the benefits of the magnificent lakes, it is important for us to be able to provide a range of facilities and activities that the tourist or visitor will enjoy. I am delighted to say that we have, in Belleek, one of the jewels in the Northern Ireland tourism crown right here on our doorstep. It is a pleasure to be here today and to be able to congratulate Arthur and his team on their achievement and to thank them for their continued commitment and support to growing the tourism product base and market here in Fermanagh”.
The ’Belleek Pottery Visitor Centre – 20 years In Tourism’ event function was catered by award winning chef Neven Maguire of MacNean House Restaurant, Blacklion, who has recently been appointed as an ambassador for the Pottery’s contemporary Belleek Living tableware.
