Newbridge Remembers Pele

Newbridge Silverware, home to the Museum of Style Icons, has paid tribute to Pelé, the world’s most famous footballer and one of the most iconic athletes of all time who sadly passed away on 29th of December at the age of 82.

In 2016 the museum hosted a special exhibition dedicated to the life and works of Pelé in advance of a major auction featuring a host of the football star’s personal possessions.  Los Angeles based Julien’s Auctions brought the property to auction, in all some 2,000 items including the Brazilian star's three World Cup winners' medals and his own Jules Rimet trophy being amongst the many artefacts which went under the hammer.  This historic auction also included football shirts, boots and countless awards and mementos.

William Doyle, CEO of Newbridge Silverware, said:

"It’s impossible to underestimate what Pelé did for football and for sport worldwide. He was a global icon, a man who was loved all over the world and whose legacy will be remembered forever. We were very fortunate to have had his property on display here at Newbridge Silverware and are grateful to Darren Julien and to Martin Nolan of Julien’s Auctions for bringing it to us in 2016."

Roscommon native, Martin Nolan, the executive director of Julien's Auctions who organised the sale, said: "Pelé grew up in poor circumstances in Brazil and never forgot his humble beginnings. He was always mindful of the poor and spent his life trying to help disadvantaged children and to be an inspiration for young people."

Martin Nolan and his business partner, Darren Julien of Julien’s Auctions, first met Pelé in New York in 2015 after the duo auctioned property belonging to Ringo Star. Pelé said he would like to do something to help raise funds for charity and expressed his interest in auctioning his own personal possessions.