The Thatch, Main Street, Belleek, Enniskillen, Co. Fermanagh, BT93 3FX

The Thatch is a single storey, one room, direct entry thatched building positioned on the north side of Main Street in Belleek, dated to between 1820 and 1839. It is a vernacular structure of considerable local interest and rarity.

The building's front elevation remains unaltered in appearance, with the thatched roof following traditional lines. The thatched covering terminates at the right (east) side by means of a concrete parapet gable and on the opposite side butts against the gable of the adjoining house, finished with a cement fillet. Two rows of exposed scallops are visible at the ridge and one at the eaves. A squat chimneystack with concrete capping rises from the right hand (east) gable and contains one pot. The external finish is of lightly rubbed up render with a black-coloured base. The rear of the building is roughcast. Kitchen and toilet accommodation at the rear is of concrete brick construction with cement fibre slating finished with deep timber bargeboards and plastic rainwater goods.

The entrance is gained by ascending two external steps and is flanked on either side by a vertically sliding window with margined paned sashes. Sash stops are chamfered and sills are of intermediate depths. There are no openings in the gable.

The interior has been modified to express a catering function and is considered to be acceptable. The building was re-thatched in 1996 by Frank Gilligan using rye straw.

Historical records suggest the site was occupied by a building by 1834-35 according to the Ordnance Survey map. The 1859 valuation plan confirms the house's presence at that date, recording dimensions of 4 yards by 7 yards by 1 storey, with a quality letter of '2B-' indicating a building of over 20 years old. The occupant was listed as Edward Keenahan, with John C. Bloomfield, one of the co-founders of the Belleek Pottery, as the immediate lessor, and the rateable value calculated at 15 shillings.

Planning permission was granted in 1989 for a change of use and extension to the property to form a museum. The building was originally owned by John C. Bloomfield and David McBirnley, founders of the Belleek Pottery.