U2 bass guitars to go on exclusive exhibition in Newbridge, Kildare

A first-of-its-kind exhibition of U2's Adam Clayton's bass guitars is taking place at The Museum of Style Icons in Newbridge, Co Kildare.

Julien’s Auctions today (October 20) announced the unveiling of 18 bass guitars from Adam Clayton’s extraordinary personal collection in a first-ever exhibition in Ireland titled “PLAYED, WORN, & TORN FEATURING THE ADAM CLAYTON COLLECTION.”

The exclusive three-week exhibition celebrating the U2 bassist and this collection of 18 iconic bass guitars is open to the public at The Museum of Style Icons in Newbridge, Co Kildare, Ireland from today until November 9.

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Following the three-week exhibition run in Ireland, the collection will head to Nashville where it will be auctioned at the industry’s most anticipated music memorabilia event of the year “PLAYED, WORN, & TORN,” taking place over two days - Thursday, November 20 and Friday, November 21 2025 - at the Musicians Hall of Fame & Museum in the historic Municipal Auditorium and online at juliensauctions.com.

Adam Clayton said: “I’m fortunate enough to have owned many wonderful instruments in my life and I have amassed a very personal collection of basses over the last 40 years. They have all become favourites for one reason or another, a reminder of a particular tour or recording session. I return to them time and time again, it’s a very special relationship, I can’t really explain it…

“My only regret is that I don’t get to play them all as often as I would like, a musical instrument needs time and attention… I’ll be sad to see these basses go but this is an opportunity to give each and every one of them a new home in the care of a new owner. And maybe they can become someone else's favourite.”

This remarkable collection of Adam Clayton's illustrious basses, stage-played through the different eras and continents of U2's record-breaking globe-spanning tours, is set to make history once again in this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to potentially own a piece of the 22-time Grammy Award-winning artist and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer’s legacy.

Over 20 items from Adam Clayton’s personal collection, including music instruments, gear, memorabilia and more, will be offered for the first time at auction, with a portion of the proceeds benefiting MusiCares, the leading music charity supporting the health and well-being of the music community.

EXHIBITION:
When: October 20th – November 9th, 2025
Where: The Museum of Style Icons in Newbridge Silverware Visitor Centre, Athgarvan Rd, Kilbelin, Newbridge, Co. Kildare, Ireland
Opening Times: Monday to Saturday 9am-5pm and Sunday & holidays 10am-5pm
Information: https://visitnewbridgesilverware.com/about-the-museum-of-style-icons

LIVE AND ONLINE AUCTION:
Musicians Hall of Fame & Museum 401 Gay Street Nashville, Tennessee 37219
“PLAYED, WORN, & TORN”
Thursday, November 20th
Session: 10:00 a.m. Central Time
Friday, November 21st
Session: 10:00 a.m. Central Time

For more information please email - info@juliensauctions.com or call 310-836-1818.