After almost 100 years of silver-plated cutlery production, the Newbridge Silver Factory ceased operations on April 9th.
However, the broader Newbridge Silverware business will continue with its visitor centre, six stand-alone shops and 250 local stockists.
Despite the fact that production has ceased, the factory remains open to the public to visit as part of the Newbridge Visitor Centre, where guests will be able to learn more about the history of silver cutlery production.
Newbridge Silverware was established in 1934 as the Newbridge Cutlery co-operative venture. Many of the machines used to create the cutlery came from the Birmingham Mint more than 100 years ago.
The first factory was in the old British army barracks and was conceived by Labour senator William Cummins as a co-operative to create employment for the blacksmiths, farriers and saddle-makers after the British army left the barracks in the Curragh in 1921.
Cummins travelled to Sheffield, and encouraged five families to move from the city, which had an excellent reputation for cutlery making, to Newbridge.
At one point the factory employed some 600 people making high-quality silver tableware. At the time of the factory’s closure, 11 craftspeople were working on silver cutlery.
In the 1990s William Doyle, who is now chief executive, diversified into jewellery homeware and gifting.
He was also the brains behind the Newbridge Visitor Centre, which contains clothing and other memorabilia associated with Marilyn Monroe, the Beatles, Elvis Presley and Princess Diana, as well as a dress worn by Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany’s.
During Doyle’s tenure, many famous faces have been associated with the brand such as Naomi Campbell, Amy Huberman and Ronan O’Gara.
