Benbulben Pottery

Benbulben Pottery was started in County Sligo in 1996. Since then many other units have been added to form Rathcormac Craft Village. The pottery produces a wide range of high fired functional stoneware and one off ceramic pieces with a variety of finishes. Visitors are welcome to see the pottery being made on the potters wheel.

Dave has developed both as a functional potter and a sculptural ceramicist. He is attracted by the discipline of working within a functional framework, constantly working with shape, looking for balance between form and function, and developing his own palette of glazes. Firing both in gas and electric kilns has given the possibility of oxidation and reduction firings, so a wide spectrum of glazes has been achieved.

Raku, a technique that produces intriguing colours and small crazing effects, has been his other passion. This has lead to a body of work quite apart from the functional pieces. Much of the work is figurative and often with an irreverent theme, such as the Smoking Angels figurines.

The pit-fired pots are fired in the garden with seaweed from local beaches, banana, orange and avocado skins and oxides, to give an organic range of effects and colours.

Dave's work is constantly changing as new techniques and challenges are what keep his work fresh and engaging. He has exhibited in many group shows and has sold his work in Ireland and abroad.

Check online for dates of upcoming pottery workshops that are suitable for people of all skill levels.