Local showcase of world’s largest collection of Deadpool memorabilia

Offaly-based Gareth Peter Pahliney will host a launch event this weekend to showcase the largest collection of Deadpool film and comic book memorabilia in the world.

The launch, which is sold out, will take place in the function room at Cloghan Service Station this Saturday from 2pm to 4pm.

However, Deadpool enthusiasts can view the extensive collection in the service station on Ferbane Street until Thursday, August 31 from Wednesday to Sunday from 10am to 3pm. Entry costs €5 on the door and all proceeds will go to Esker House Domestic Abuse Support Service and Dogs Trust Ireland

Gareth said he is “extremely excited” ahead of the pop-up event's launch. “There's been a great take up so far.”

He added that people are shocked to see the pop-up of Deadpool memorabilia on show in the Midlands and said that one attendee called it 'futuristic.'

Gareth, who is originally from Pretoria in South Africa, but moved to Cloghan with his family about two and a half years ago holds the Guinness World Record for the largest collection of Deadpool film and comic book memorabilia with a total of 2,250 items. He first started collecting comics when he was just five years old and became more interested in the Deadpool character about 16 years ago.

At the pop-up event, attendees will have an opportunity to view the impressive collection, meet the record holder, get a photo with the life size Deadpool and have a bite to eat.

The pop-up features interactive QR codes with links to videos and audio of Gareth speaking about why various statues are special, who sculpted them and if they're rare. “There's little hidden Easter eggs all around the cave so I've kind of made it fun,” Gareth added.

Gareth would like to host more pop-up events exhibiting his Deadpool collection in the future. He said: “I think the more people who see it will then tell other people and it'll grow. I'm open to whatever comes next. I'm hoping this will elevate tourism in Offaly.”

"I am using the next three months as a pilot project to gauge the interest in having a toy museum in Ireland. People so far have been very excited to see something so different and I have had amazing conversations with them regarding what they collect, who their favorite superheroes are and what drew them to the collection. I decided to run the test project as a charity driven initiative where all the funds will be donated to local charities."

Gareth is happy with the positive response he has received since the pop-up opened on Friday, June 2. “One couple who came in were at JJ Hough's (pub in Banagher) the night before, and they'd seen the poster up there and they decided to come take a chance and they were blown away.” He added that the pop-up was likened to “a contemporary pop culture museum.”

“I've met quite a few people just this last week. It was nice to engage with them, to take five minutes out and talk to them and to find out what they enjoyed about the comics or why they like Deadpool or which was their favorite piece in the collection.”

One of Gareth's favourite pieces from his collection is a bust of Ryan Reynolds' face which was used to sculpt his mask for the first film in the Deadpool franchise and was signed by comic book writer and producer Stan Lee and Ryan. Gareth said: “There were only 50 of those made worldwide so it's very rare and I was able to get that.” He also has a poster which was signed by the whole Deadpool cast and one of the original storyboards which was given to him by Twentieth Century Fox after he cosplayed as Deadpool for the premiere of the first film. “I think every item in the collection has a special meaning to me because it represents a time in my life when I bought it.” Another piece in the collection he highlighted as a favourite was a figurine of Deadpool holding a rubber chicken which his aunt was able to get for him.

Speaking about his love for the character, Gareth said: “He was just so different. He wasn't your typical hero. He's a mercenary who would do anything for money so but I think it was his humour and his wit that just made me fall in love with the character.”

He didn't expect his love of Deadpool to turn into such a passion project. “In all honesty I think I was able to spend money on the collection when I stopped drinking and going out. I was a corporate banker before so what I did was every time I got a bonus and extra money came I would buy comics.”

“I had my little shelf and comic books that grew over time that I would've never expected to turn into this and this is a dream come true.”

The South African native also has his own YouTube channel called Gaz's Comic Cave and films a weekly show every Sunday where he provides a quick roundup of all the latest things happening in the comic book and entertainment industry. He often will also take an item from his collection and talk about what makes it special and who made it.

Gareth can be found on on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok and Youtube by searching for Gareth Peter Pahliney or Gaz's Comic.

Deadpool is a popular character depicted in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. He is the alter ego of Wade Wilson, a Canadian mercenary, with superhuman regenerative healing abilities known for his tendency to joke a lot and break the fourth wall for humorous effect.