Steven Spielberg outbid by his wife at Lincoln charity auction

Hollywood director Steven Spielberg was outbid by his wife when the pair went head-to-head at a charity auction following the European premiere of Lincoln.

Around €250,000 (£210,000) was raised after the screening and star-studded gala in Dublin for a hospice foundation, of which the movie's star Daniel Day-Lewis is a patron.

Spielberg, who directed the multi-Oscar-nominated film, lost out to his other half - actor Kate Capshaw - who coughed up €43,000 for a set of etchings by U2 star Bono.

Other famous faces to attend the charity event included two-time Academy Award-winner Day-Lewis, his Lincoln co-star Sally Field, U2's Bono and The Edge, and Olympic gold medallist Katie Taylor.

Singer Sinead O'Connor performed late into the night and gave a rendition of her most famous track - "Nothing Compares 2 U".

"She really made the night," said an organiser.

"She jammed until the early hours of the morning. There must have been about 700 people on the dance floor. She was phenomenal. She performed "Nothing Compares 2 U2, which she has not done for years and years."

The charity auction, in aid of Wicklow Hospice, raised €143,000. An additional estimated €107,000 was made through ticket sales for the Lincoln premiere - at €160 a head - sponsorship and raffle draws.

Day-Lewis had persuaded Spielberg to donate a number of props from the film shoot, including a handmade knife, white gloves and miniature soldiers.

The Edge snapped up signed scripts of the movie, while Ali Hewson, Bono's wife, bid on a pair of Taylor's boxing gloves.

Around 900 invited guests attended the banquet following the first official European screening of the film at Dublin's Savoy Cinema on O'Connell Street.

Day-Lewis, who lives in Co Wicklow and has supported the hospice for a number of years, had said he hoped to raise as much money as possible for the cause, which has been close to his heart since his mother Jill Balcon died in a cottage hospice in the UK in 2009.

Meanwhile, the 55-year-old star has been hotly tipped to win the best actor Oscar for his portrayal of US president Abraham Lincoln in the historical biopic.

If he wins on February 24, Day-Lewis will have made movie history - becoming the only star ever to win three best actor Academy Awards.

PA