(with pix)

The Directors, management and staff of Belleek Pottery last week welcomed Prince of Wales on for an historic visit to the Pottery during this, the company's150th anniversary year.

He was greeted by Belleek Pottery Group chairman, Dr George Moore and his wife Angela, President of the Belleek International Collectors' Society, and he also met with John Maguire, Group Managing Director, Arthur Goan, Group Operations Director, Martin Sharkey, Group Financial Director, and Hugh Quinn, Group Sales and Marketing Director.

Speaking after the Royal visit, Dr Moore said: "We are absolutely delighted to have had this opportunity of welcoming His Royal Highness to Belleek during this milestone year for the company."

He said Charles seemed to really enjoy his tour of the Pottery and took a very real interest in the manufacturing process, taking time to talk to many of our workforce along the way.

"The Prince", he went on, " was also very interested to visit our Museum and see the wide range of products that the company has produced over its 150th Anniversary. He was particularly interested in a reproduction of the original Prince of Wales Ice Bucket. This is a very intricate piece which was originally commissioned by Queen Victoria in honour of her son, the then Prince of Wales and the future King Edward the Seventh", Dr Moore added.

To mark his visit, the Prince was presented with a Belleek Basket, the Henshall Basket from the company's 150th Anniversary Archive Collection and a Belleek Living 'Eclipse' Vase from the world famous Pottery's contemporary range.