Ballymorris Pottery

Ballymorris Pottery is a working ceramics studio and pottery school at Ballymorris, Cratloe, in County Clare, close to the border with County Limerick. Established in 1994, the pottery sits on a 17th-century farm and is run by Hannah Arnup, who trained in both sculpture and ceramics and grew up learning the craft from her parents, the potter and sculptor Mick and Sally Arnup.

The studio produces handmade stoneware for everyday use and display, from colourful domestic ware to individual ceramic art, commemorative plates and ceramic signs. Much of the work is made to order, including bespoke pieces for weddings, presentations and other occasions, as well as children’s handprints. The pieces are known for their strong colours, bold shapes and spiral sgraffito decoration, giving the studio a distinctive style that blends the classic and the contemporary.

Visitors can take part in the attached pottery school, which runs classes suited to beginners and those with little experience, giving people the chance to try wheel-throwing and hand-building. The school also hosts pottery parties for all ages, summer camps, school tours and team-building sessions. There is free car parking on site, and the studio is a good option for a rainy day. It is best to contact the pottery in advance to check availability and current opening arrangements.