Bloomfield

This is a photograph (c.1870s) of John Caldwell Bloomfield (1823-1897) and Sir James Butler (1826-1907).

J.C. Bloomfiled inherited Castle Caldwell in 1849. In 1857, he became the main founder of Belleek Pottery. On his estate, J. C. Bloomfield discovered the essential ingredients for making ceramics. Soon the Pottery was producing glazed porcelain of exceptional quality and providing much needed employment after disastrous years of famine.

J.C. Bloomfield secured a railway-line to the factory to bring coal and to transport the finished product to world-wide markets. Conveniently, the train also stopped at the entrance to Castle Caldwell.

J.C. Bloomfield's other business ventures were less successful, including a cement works at Castle Caldwell, an iron works, and a steamer service between Enniskillen and Belleek. The steamer service, 'The Countess of Milan' ran for four years from 1855.

_{© Fermanagh County Museum.
Image Ref: 01013}

By 1876 J.C. Bloomfield's estate was wound up and most of the house contents were auctioned in Dublin the following year.

The other person in the photograph is Lord James Butler, brother of the Earl of Ormonde.