Irish Dresden factory ceases production
NEARLY half-a-century of craftsmanship came to an end at the weekend with the closure of Irish Dresden at Dromcollogher, with the loss of more than a dozen jobs.
The company began manufacturing delicate porcelain at Dromcollogher in 1962, the founders, the Saars, having fled East Germany, where the tradition of craftsmanship had been in the family for generations.
The company's products consisted of moulded ceramic figurines with the specialist touch being the delicate lace frills and edgings. All pieces were handpainted and glazed.
Deputy John Cregan this week recalled that his father, the late Cllr Tom Cregan, with the late Gerry Keyes and others, especially Muintir na Tire, had worked hard to secure employment for Dromcollogher, and were happy to welcome the Saars when they established Irish Dresden.
Sean Lemass, as Minister for Industry and Commerce prior to 1959, wrote to the late Deputy Jimmy Collins agreeing to "special consideration" for the setting up of the factory.
Seamus Stack, chairman of Dromcollogher Community Council, recalled the early days when Irish Dresden started up in the old primary school, later transferring manufacture to the parish hall while the purpose-built factory was being constructed nearby on North Road.
The product line was an immediate success and summer tour buses would call to the factory where the visitors, mainly Americans, would see the various stages of manufacture and the gift shop did a brisk trade. "I often saw two buses a day calling there in the early years," recalls Mr Stack.
Irish Dresden found a willing market in America too, and in outlets such as airport shops and fashionable department stores. Many people began to collect Irish Dresden, adding new pieces as they became available.
As quality craft items, Dromcollogher Dresden became acceptable as formal gifts. Gerard Collins recalls that, as Minister for Foreign Affairs, his department often presented gifts of Irish Dresden to visiting dignitaries.
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Tuesday 22 May 2012
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