The Arklow Pottery Heritage Project team would like to extend our sincere thanks to everyone who contributed to this digital resource which aims to capture some of the history and heritage of Arklow Pottery.
Without the help and support of the community this project could not have been undertaken.
Special thanks goes to the following contributors.
Dr. Audrey Whitty, Deputy Director/Head of Collections and Learning at The National Museum of Ireland, Collins Barracks, Dublin 7, for kindly sharing her research paper into Arklow Pottery (2004) including her primary and secondary research, which greatly assisted in shaping the historical timeline.
Catherine McGuinness, Freelance Museum Specialist, who kindly offered lots of advice, made connections and assisted as a facilitator during the ‘Trip Down Memory Lane’ event.
All of the wonderful ex-Arklow Pottery workers who gave so generously their time and shared their stories on camera. Thank you to Francis Lenehan, Breda Tyrrell, John Gilbert, Thady O’Brien, John Rowan, Patricia Nugent, Margaret Mourdant, Michael Foley and Jim Rees.
All those who offered their private Arklow Pottery collections to be photographed for the project. Thank you to Stella O’Connell of the River Cafe, to Audrey Hudson of The Arklow Bay Hotel, to Chantal Fortune, Yvonne Ui Chuanachain, Niall from Brittas Bay Antiques, to Eamonn Bermingham and Thomas Dunne.
All those who kindly shared old photos and videos with the project team to be included on the website, with particular thanks to Mary Whelan who has been collecting photos relating to Arklow Pottery for many years and generously provided her collection to be copied.
Rachael Linton for her fantastic work on compiling the Willow Pattern Guide and for her generosity in sharing the guide with the project.
Catherine Wright of Wicklow County Archives Service and Deirdre Burns Wickow Heritage Officer for additional support.
To the Hudson family of the Arklow Bay Hotel and the onsite hotel team for facilitating filming in The Pottery Restaurant and for allowing the private collection to be photographed.
To Jim Rees and the team at Arklow Maritime Museum for facilitating filming on multiple dates.
Peter Lamb, author of The Life and Work of John ffrench: Irish Ceramic Artist (1928-2010) for supporting the project.
And to the many other people who have offered support and assistance in producing this digital archive.
Additional credits to:
RTE Archives
Mildred Stead Capron papers, Collection No. 3470, Box 16, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming
Wicklow People Archives and Irish Times Archive via Findmypast.ie
Peter Lamb, author The Life and Work of John ffrench: Irish Ceramic Artist (1928-2010). Information from the chapter on Arklow Studio Pottery was referenced when building the Arklow Pottery History Timeline.
*Disclaimer*
Every attempt has been made to ensure accuracy of this information on this website. The content of oral history interviews is personal, experiential, and interpretive because, by its nature, it relies on the memories, perceptions, and opinions of individuals.
Interviews should not be understood as statements of fact and opinions are not endorsed by the Arklow Pottery Heritage Project or the Heritage Council.