press release
90 Years of Impeccable Taste: Celebrating Newbridge Silverware's Enduring Legacy
As Newbridge Silverware marks its 90th anniversary, the iconic Irish brand reflects on a
legacy of elegance, innovation, and craftsmanship. Founded in 1934, Newbridge Silverware
has evolved from its origins as a manufacturer of quality tableware to become one of the
world’s leading lifestyle companies and premier giftware brands.
From its humble beginnings in a former army barracks in Newbridge, Co. Kildare,
Newbridge Silverware has grown to become synonymous with timeless design and
impeccable craftsmanship. Despite the many global challenges and economic booms and
busts of the last century, the company has endured and thrived. This is due to its commitment
to quality, the company’s ability to pivot, and its dynamic and creative approach over the past
nine decades.
Originally focused on producing tableware for stately homes, the hospitality industry, and the
wedding gift market, Newbridge Silverware has expanded its offerings to include a diverse
range of products, including exquisite jewellery collections. Today, the brand is renowned for
its design-led jewellery, homeware, cutlery, and giftware, combining traditional
craftsmanship with contemporary design aesthetics. |
| Hard at work 1958 |
Visitors to the Newbridge Silverware Visitor Centre can immerse themselves in the rich
history and heritage of the brand while exploring the captivating world of craftsmanship. The
Visitor Centre features a guided Factory and Craft Tour, providing guests with a behind-the-
scenes look at the intricate process of crafting Newbridge Silverware products. From raw
material to the finished item, each piece undergoes over 40 stages of production, showcasing
the dedication and skill of the craftsmen and women who bring these creations to life.
The company is one of the few remaining indigenous Irish manufacturing businesses still
operating and producing products every day in Ireland. Interestingly, the process of
manufacturing has remained virtually unchanged, and the very same machines that once
fashioned knives and forks that graced the high-end tables of Dublin and London in the 1930s
are still making tableware and jewellery today worn by the world’s most famous celebrities,
models, and movie stars. |
One Newbridge exhibition featured Raquel Welch seen here
in stars and stripes bikini for the film Myra Breckinridge |
In 2018, the factory at Newbridge Silverware opened its doors to the public, offering visitors
the chance to see craft coming alive before their very eyes. Over 80,000,000 pieces of
tableware have been made by Newbridge Silverware since 1934, and each item is handled
over 40 times by the craftsmen during the process. The Factory and Craft Tour itself is
extremely interesting, it is part historical, part educational and 100% experiential.
The tour's starting point is in what is known as the ‘dark room,’ where visitors first learn
about the history and formation of the business. Here, visitors are taken on a virtual walk-
through of what was once the Garrison town of Newbridge, with stories of its past and
garrison history laying the foundations for its formation in 1934.
The past, history, and the people who took part in the early years of Newbridge Silverware,
then known as ‘The Newbridge Cutlery Company,’ laid the foundations for what is now one
of Ireland’s most exciting lifestyle brands and is a great example of living heritage.
Stepping out of the darkness and the black room and into the bright and vibrant factory is the
next step on this fascinating tour. Visitors are immediately struck by the machines, all painted
in the iconic ‘Newbridge Blue,’ with the pounding cutting, snipping, and stamping all
creating the soundtrack for craft in motion. |
| Entrance. Display can change depending on what's going on! |
The entertaining guide brings the visitors to view each process and explains what each
craftsperson is doing from shanking to clipping to vibing and soldering. The process and
experience are truly magnificent to behold. Ultimately, the visitor will see the journey one
sheet of material makes from a flat sheet of metal to a glistening, silver-plated premium piece
of cutlery or jewellery.
The Factory and Craft Tour is also very interesting from a historical perspective as it tells
not just the story of Newbridge Silverware but also gives a snapshot of what life was like for
Irish people working and living in times of great financial strain and during huge political
turmoil. |
| The Beatles' suits |
Visitors learn about the company's formation and hear the fascinating story about its
inception. In 1934, a local politician, Senator Cummins, succeeded in raising necessary
funding from the State and prominent businessmen. A portion of the old British Army
barracks was allocated to the business, old furnaces and machinery were renovated, and 25
local craftsmen were retrained as cutlers.
The overall Factory and Craft Tour takes approximately one hour and is a wonderful way to
spend a morning. Guests will often then finish up with a spot of lunch or Afternoon Tea at the
Silver Restaurant offers delectable homemade food all day long.
Newbridge Silverware is, of course, known for silver, and its silver-plated premium products
remain very much in demand all over the world. Through its many innovations and creativity,
the company makes a range that is so diverse that it includes gifting for all occasions,
jewellery, homeware, and even Christmas decorations. In fact, the Christmas decorations are
so beloved and in demand that a permanent Christmas shop remains open at the Lifestyle
Store in Newbridge for 52 weeks of the year. |
| Di's Indian dress |
Cutting-edge design and acclaimed photo shoots with supermodels such as Sophie Dahl,
Yasmin le Bon, and Naomi Campbell also enhanced the company’s brand image. Another
milestone for the company was the opening of the Museum of Style Icons in 2007, which
now houses one of the world’s greatest collections of style, fashion, and popular culture
artefacts. The museum houses fashion collections and property that once belonged to some of
the greatest style icons of all time, such as Audrey Hepburn, Marilyn Monroe, Princess
Grace, Princess Diana, the Beatles, and even contemporary actresses and fashionistas such as
Kim Kardashian and January Jones of ‘Mad Men’.
The inception of the Museum of Style Icons at Newbridge Silverware traces back to a pivotal
moment involving Audrey Hepburn's iconic little black dress from ‘Breakfast at Tiffanys’. In
2006, Newbridge Silverware CEO William Doyle, inspired by his wife Monica reading about
an upcoming Christie's auction featuring the dress he wanted to buy. He didn’t end
up buying the dress he originally set out to acquire but did not go away empty handed and
fortuitously bought another Audrey Hepburn dress from the movie, Charade. This decision
marked the beginning of a remarkable collection that would grow to encompass costume and
personal effects belonging to legends of fashion and entertainment.
Since then, the Museum of Style Icons has evolved into a celebrated institution, showcasing a
a wealth of fashion and entertainment history through both permanent and visiting exhibitions.
Collaborating with renowned auction house Julien's Auctions, Newbridge Silverware
regularly hosts some of the world's most famous pieces before they go under the auction
hammer, giving visitors a rare chance to view these iconic items up close. |
| This decanter is quite a talking point on the table and also a lovely Christmas present! |
One of the museum's most memorable exhibitions occurred in 2016, when Marilyn Monroe's
legendary skin and beads dress, worn during her iconic rendition of Happy Birthday, Mr.
President for President John F. Kennedy, made its debut. Drawing thousands of visitors, this
historic garment, on loan from Julien's Auctions, captivated audiences and ultimately sold for
a record-breaking $4.8 million.
Another significant visit to the museum came from the Cobain family, including Francis
Bean, daughter of Nirvana's Kurt Cobain, along with his mother, Wendy O'Connor and sister,
Kim Cobain. Their presence added a rock and roll dimension to the museum, allowing fans to
connect with the legendary musician's legacy firsthand.
In 2019, the museum welcomed beloved actress and singer Olivia Newton-John, known for
her role as Sandy in Grease who opened an exhibition dedicated to her unique style.
Featuring some of her famous costumes, including the iconic black leather trousers from the
film, the exhibition delighted fans and provided a glimpse into Newton-John's illustrious
The current exhibition in collaboration with the Irish Costume Archive Project (ICAP)
opened this summer and showcases costumes worn by Irish actors or featured in Irish-made
films, offering a fascinating exploration of Ireland's cinematic heritage and its influence on
costume design. Visitors experience an immersive journey into the rich tapestry of Irish film
and culture at this highly anticipated event.
Over the course of 90 years, Newbridge Silverware has been more than just a workplace—it
has been a place where generations of families have met, marriages have begun, and lifelong
friendships have been formed. Local people still refer to Newbridge Silverware as "The
Cutlery" a place that supported a vibrant and thriving community both within and beyond the
factory walls.
Throughout its history, Newbridge Silverware has been a family affair, with
generations of the same families working at the factory. The Tunney family in particular, has
played a significant role in the company's story, with Tony Tunney, his wife Celine, his
daughter Emma and granddaughter Sarah all contributing their talents and who share a
combined 70 years of service to the business. This family is just one of many whose
dedication and commitment to excellence have helped shape Newbridge Silverware into the
beloved brand it is today.
To commemorate its 90th anniversary, Newbridge Silverware launched special edition
collections and hosted various events throughout the year. From limited-edition designs to
exclusive promotions, there has been and still is many opportunities for customers to join in
the celebration and experience the magic of Newbridge Silverware.
“We are incredibly proud to celebrate 90 years of craftsmanship, innovation, and timeless
design,” said William Doyle, CEO of Newbridge Silverware. “From our beginnings in a
small town in Co. Kildare to becoming a globally recognised brand, our journey has been
filled with passion and an unyielding dedication to craft and design. As we look to the future,
we remain committed to upholding the legacy of Newbridge Silverware and continuing to
inspire generations to come.”
Visit www.visitnewbridgesilverware.com for more information and to explore the full range of products
and experiences. The Factory and Craft Tour runs Monday – Thurs at 11am and 2pm. Fridays - 11am.
Tickets are €15 for Adults and €9 for Children under 18. For further information or to book a Factory
and Craft Tour email tourinfo@newbridgesilverware.ie .
Admission to the Museum of Style Icons is free and it is open 7 days a week.
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