Ballymorris Pottery Christmas Event on 21st and 22nd November

The Ballymorris Pottery Christmas Event is taking place on the 21st and 22nd of November from 11am - 5pm. This is a perfect opportunity to slow down, enjoy the simple pleasures of the season, and support local artistry and craftsmanship. Gather friends and family, take a break from the hustle and bustle, and spend a festive afternoon surrounded by creativity, conversation, and Christmas spirit. Enjoy delicious home baking and  complimentary refreshments.

The event is free to attend.

For those who enjoy getting creative, there will also be the opportunity to make your own Christmas decorations. It's a wonderful activity for visitors of all ages and a chance to create keepsakes that will become part of your Christmas celebrations for years to come.

The cost for the Christmas Decoration making sessions is €18.

Booking advisable on 061 357118 or
hannah@ballymorrispottery.ie  

The art of slip casting

This is where things get interesting!

Liquid clay, known as casting slip, is poured into specially made plaster moulds. The plaster gradually absorbs moisture from the clay, allowing a layer of clay to build up against the inside of the mould.

Once the clay has reached the desired thickness, the excess slip is poured away and the mould is left to rest.

It might look like a fairly straightforward process, but there's a real skill involved in knowing when the clay is ready and how to handle each stage.

The big reveal

One of our favourite parts was returning the following day to see the moulds being opened.

Carefully separating the plaster sections reveals the newly formed clay pieces, still delicate at this stage and needing a gentle touch. It's such a lovely moment – seeing a design emerge from its mould, with all those little details finally taking shape.

From the original sculpture to the first reveal, it's fascinating to see how much thought and craftsmanship goes into each creation.

And this is only the beginning! The pieces still have drying, finishing and firing ahead of them before they're ready for their next chapter.

There's something rather special about seeing the making process up close. It gives you a whole new appreciation for the creativity and hands-on work behind every ceramic piece.