As they say, everyone’s Irish on March 17, St. Patrick’s Day. Brew up some Berry’s or Irish Breakfast tea and savor some Dubliner and Chrogan cheese. Discover the beauty, too, of Ireland’s oldest china by Belleek.
You’ll find it at Celtic Colours, the Irish and Scottish-goods shop in Gayton Crossing Shopping Center.
Belleek dinnerware is made of Parian china, a type of bisque porcelain. Their “Shamrock Lace” collection, shown above, has been a best-seller since the 1880s when Queen Victoria and the Prince of Wales first commissioned pieces.
Like the royals, I’m smitten with the Shamrock collection (and like them, I’m not Irish). I love its embossed basketweave design and sprightly shamrock petals. All pieces are hand-painted, and the handles on the tea pot and cups represent shamrock stems. I think the collection would mix effortlessly with other china patterns.
You’ll find a variety of Belleek pieces in the shop, and store owner Troy Suggs can order any item from the Belleek catalog.
Celtic Colours is at 1316 Gaskins Road. Store hours are Tuesday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
