Youghal’s Jack O’Patsy Pottery acquire Stephen Pearce’s Pottery and Emporium Centre.

One of east Cork and Ireland’s most beloved craft industries has been given a new lease of life with the sale of Stephen Pearce’s pottery and emporium centre. Youghal’s Jack O’Patsy Pottery (under the special purpose title of Hassium Ltd.), has acquired the 5,000sq ft manufacturing base, while the 12,000ft emporium has been bought by top Irish craft retailers, the Kilkenny Group. Report: Christy Parker | Photo: Michael Hussey www.youghalonline.com Email news@youghalonline.com

Jack O'Patsy Pottery - Youghal

Established in 1953, Stephen Pearce’s Pottery entered examinership in October 2008 and entered receivership under KPMG four months later. Jack O’Patsy owner Pat Collins reveals that a combination of high quality facilities and the region’s established tradition of pottery making” had spurred his interest in the manufacturing centre. He says he hopes to commence trading within two weeks and to “create 11 jobs within two months, rising to 25 over two to three years.”

Further job creation can be expected on the Kilkenny side of the fence. The retail group says its plans for the two-storey emporium will be announced in the coming weeks, “once existing staff and tenants have been notified of intent.” It is hoped however, that the company will bring their full craft range, including ceramics, fashion, jewellery, etc., to market. Synonymous with promoting Irish design and quality Irish craftsmanship, the Kilkenny Group is 100% Irish-owned and trades across seven retail outlets and one restaurant in Ireland. It caters for the domestic and tourist trade under the retailing under the retail brands, ‘Kilkenny’ and ‘Christy’s’. Despite the economic downturn, the group expanded further over the past year, adding fashion to its stores in Cork city and Cashel.

When Jack met Stephen

Meanwhile, the development enhances the remarkable resurgence of Jack O’Patsy, which Pat Collins re-opened last September, following a six-year closure. The Youghal base currently employs five workers, three of them in manufacture, but under a gradual expansion scheme, he hopes to double that in the coming year.

As the new year gathers pace, the Youghal operation has forged a dual purpose with its Shanagarry neighbour. Pat believes ‘gradual development’ is the key to sustainable growth and is confident of doing so at both plants. While “the majority of sales would service the home demand, we will be keeping a very close eye on the foreign markets too, especially the American seaboard, through mail order and catalogues particularly,” the 47 year-old proprietor elaborates.

Methods and ranges, old and new

Reclaiming and consolidation old markets while searching for new footholds, defines a resolute and imaginative approach being undertaken by the former electrician-turned-pot maker. The way forward may lie in reverse: “I think the trend towards mechanisation in recent years has been retrograde,” he suggests. “It sacrifices some of the unique and individual characteristics that made the wares popular in the first place. So we would plan to concentrate more on the basics of hand thrown wares, employing potters rather than machines.”

In terms of what the human hand can be expected to create, “the traditional Jack O’Patsy and Badger Hill (the Wexford brand that Jack O’Patsy purchased in 1997) will remain crucial to our initial production,” he explains. Unlike the traditional Stephen Pearce terracotta range, these are stoneware products that be fired at 1,260 degrees and of a tough quality suitable for modern kitchen appliances. “Add in Celtic designs and you further enhance their marketable attraction,” says Pat.

While updating and re-invigorating the popular, basic products, he also hopes to develop a high-firing terracotta clay, equally suitable for repetitive rigours of the microwave/dishwasher/oven, with obvious potential to outshine rivals in the terracotta market. Additionally, Shanagarry’s large production facilities “suggests we can develop reduction gas fired pottery with the potential for stunning effects in vibrant colours and copper reds,” adds the businessman.

His belief in the ‘individuality’ of his products is further emphasised in his commitment to innovative designs. “We’ve been working on developing high quality, hand painted pottery, reflecting Irish historical and mythological themes, as well as local and national landscapes and seascapes,” he enthuses. “For example, we are doing a range of Irish lighthouses painted by local artists, another range of historical and local scenes and scenes of Irish interest generally. This type of thing is not common in the market and I think such value added products have great potential at home and amongst the Irish diaspora abroad.”

Jack O'Patsy Pottery Youghal

Not satisfied with merely making pottery, Pat Collins intends teaching other people to do so as well. “We have definite plans to start run pottery courses in the coming months,” he insists. “I’ve been encouraged by the from floating the idea to our clients in Youghal, “he adds. “In fact I’ve been very encouraged by the enthusiasm for our products generally since re-opening in Youghal and I want to thank everyone for that support. I think there is great goodwill at present for local produce, perhaps moreso in hard times. And what can be more indigenous than the native soil?!” Only native ideas, one supposes…