About
History
Nicholas Mosse Pottery was established by Nicholas Mosse in 1976 after periods of training in England and Japan. His mission was to produce beautiful, functional pottery in the style of Irish Spongeware. Irish spongeware was the traditional pottery of Ireland used in the 18th Century. It was mainly made in simple honest shapes with a decoration applied with a cut sponge.
Inspiration
The decoration was rurally inspired often using images of animals and plants popular in the region. Nick set up the pottery in an old flour mill producing his pottery in the traditional way, by hand. The clay was mixed locally and the kilns were fired by hydropower from the nearby river Nore. Using the inspiration of the quiet rural surroundings, the pottery was decorated by hand with a wide range of natural forms and patterns. From these small beginnings the business has evolved into being one of Ireland's best known and most popular potteries. We now produce an extensive range of patterns and shapes all still made and decorated by hand.
Hand-Crafted Ceramics
Our pottery has evolved from the simple natural shapes of Irish countryware that first inspired Nick to a comprehensive array of shapes and patterns that fit into nearly every home. Our pottery is both practical and beautiful, utilising clean, simple shapes and intricate hand sponged patterns to lend an air of simple beauty to our product. Each piece of our pottery is lavished with care by our team of craftspeople who do everything from mixing our own special clay, throwing it and firing it, by hand. The final stage of decoration is also done by hand in the traditional manner by using handcut sponges dipped in pigment to create our beautiful pattern details.
Kilfane Glen & Waterfall
Why not visit one of Ireland's most beautiful, secluded enchanted gardens. Kilfane Glen & Waterfall has been a project of Susan and Nicholas Mosse since they moved to Kilfane and literally discovered this Romantic period garden in their backyard. Years later and lots of love and tender care, the garden is open to the public. Stroll around the woodland paths, enjoy the quiet sitting in the shade of our thatched cottage orne, watching the water fall down a carved rock face. We look forward to seeing you here. For more information and history about the gardens, visit www.kilfane.com.
