To celebrate its 150th year in business, Belleek Pottery has this week launched a commemorative range of anniversary candles that will be exclusively available for purchase at the company's Visitor Centre as well as online for the remainder of this year.
Significant to the launch on Friday morning was the fact that for the first time in its history, the Pottery had entrusted an outside company to put their trademark on their product.
And, in keeping the celebratory theme local to Fermanagh, that limited range was specifically designed by 'Celebration Candles', a company based in Ballinamallard and run by Harry Stuart and Doreen Byers.
The candles, which are expected to be a major hit with collectors visiting the Pottery throughout the year, include a pillar candle with decorative text and trademark (£9) along with a commemorative pair of candles (£4.50).
Patricia McCauley, the Manager of the Belleek Visitor Centre, said she expected the products to be popular among customers and, particularly collectors in the months ahead.
"We have been doing business with Harry and Celebration Candles for the last eight years. About three years ago, we asked him to do candle trademarks. It was a trial, and we didn't know whether it was going to go well or not. It proved successful, so we thought why not do something extra special for the 150th?"
CANDLES
Celebration Candles has been in business since 1999 and serves the trade industry only "What's significant about the candles", Doreen Byers explained, "is that we print our design on to the surface of the candles which means it doesn't interfere with the burn of the candles and it doesn't smoke,"
"We have many designs. We do a range of wedding candles, birthday candles, anniversary candles and a range of Celtic Irish themes. Along with that, we offer certain customers the opportunity to design candles especially for them as in this case with Belleek Pottery."
Traditionally it is very difficult to print ink on to wax, but Celebration Candles has mastered that skill.
"Because we don't use decal, because it is printed on to the surface, this means it doesn't interfere with the burn and it is a safe way of decorating a candle", Doreen explained.
Harry and Doreen have supplied Belleek with a best selling trademark pair of candles for eight years now, and so it was not only an honour but, a 'natural progression' for them to design something extra special for 2007.
"It is a great honour for the company", Harry stated. "As far as I know, it is the first time they have entrusted an outside company to put their trademark on their product, and we are very proud that a Fermanagh company is supporting us,"
To mark the Belleek Collectors International Society Convention next month, Celebration Candles has donated an anniversary pair of candles for every travelling delegate.
The huge event is currently in the final stages of preparation. It is being organised by Patricia and her colleagues, Fergus Cleary, Tom Martin and Michelle Callig, and is run in conjunction with the Northern Ireland Chapter.
The celebrations kick off on Wednesday, 18th April, and is an occasion that looks set to provide a major boost for Fermanagh, as Patricia McCauley explained.
"Plans have been underway at Belleek for the last 18 months, but now that we are down to about six weeks, things are getting very exciting because, really it is just like planning a large wedding. There is so much you can't do until the last minute.
FINAL TOUCHES
"Everything is going according to plan, we are just putting final touches to everything, including the tours within Fermanagh, the visit to Belleek and the base, which is the Killyhevlin hotel.
"It will provide a major boost to the county from a tourism and economic point of view', she suggested. "We have made sure that everything that's happening is happening within Fermanagh. Where possible it is Fermanagh food, Fermanagh products, and Fermanagh entertainment."
