The Heritage & History of Portwest

Founded in 1904 by Charles Hughes, the son of a small farmer on Ireland's Wild Atlantic Coast. He opened a retail store in on Bridge Street in Westport, Co. Mayo after purchasing the store for just £100. 

Although the company is now renowned globally for it's workwear and PPE, it is still owned and managed by the Hughes family in Westport.

From its early beginnings as the fledgling Charles Hughes store, nestling under the mighty shadow of Croagh Patrick, Portwest - The Outdoor Shop has served the people of Mayo and beyond, with the best value and quality in outdoor clothing and footwear, for over a century. 

Charles Hughes shop, Bridge Street (now Portwest)

We remain humble and proud of our heritage and our history in the West of Ireland and pride ourselves as an authentic Irish Brand with 199 years’ experience in producing outdoor clothing.

Today Portwest has stores in Westport, Galway and Killarney. The Portwest outdoor clothing range is designed in Westport and we continues to develop clothing that deliver peak protection to you in the great outdoors.

When Charles Hughes set up his shop on Bridge Street in 1904, he could not have envisaged such a turbulent future. He was committed to the Land War and national struggle, which led to Charles and his staff being intimidated, arrested and imprisoned. Westport was a place of great unrest in early 1920s. Like many other homes and businesses, his shop was ransacked and bombed.

The company has been a witness to history over the past 119 years and today we are as committed to community development as Charles Hughes and his colleagues were in the past. Below is a timeline of our founding father's journey to see Westport Prosper and the story behind how our brand developed:

CHARLES HUGHES TIMELINE

Mr. Charles Hughes and Miss Jennie Armstrong 1904Mr. Charles Hughes and Miss Jennie Armstrong Wedding photograph 17 August 1904

• 1904 - Charles Hughes buys Lennon's footwear shop for £100 in August and expands into drapery in October.

First ad in the Mayo News for the Opening of Charles Hughes store

• 1916 - Charles Hughes, his brother Owen and nephew Paddy are arrested and interned in Wales for eight months.

• 1917 - Charles Hughes' nephew and shop assistant, Paddy Hughes, age 18, drowns at Westport Quay on 7 August.

• 1919 - Charles Hughes Wholesale founded on Mill Street (now The Mariner hotel).

• 1920 - Charles Hughes 'on the run' from November 1920 until May 1922.

1921 - Crown forces bomb the Charles Hughes shop and wreck his home on 23 March. Mrs. Jennie Hughes holds a salvage sale of any remaining stock on 30 April.

Salvage Sale at Charles Hughes Shop Westport 1921

This advertisement is after the Crown forces bombed Charles’ shop. the Mayo News 30 April 1921

 1922 - Charles Hughes holds a 'Great New Opening' sale on 6 May after reconstructing his shop.

• 1933 - Charles Hughes introduces his first brand "An Chruach" (Irish name for “The Reek” the local name for Croagh Patrick)

• 1936 - Pádraig Hughes, nephew of Charles Hughes, joined the business. Pádraig, the father of our current owners - Owen, Harry and Cathal, later took over Charles Hughes Limited from his granduncle.

Padraig Hughes and his wife Márie Hughes (née Kelly)

Padraig Hughes, nephew of Charles Hughes and his wife, Márie Hughes (née Kelly), daughter of PJ Kelly

• 1984 - The Portwest brand name is registered.

• 1986A number of styles introduced in the Portwest brand & the first use of the Portwest brand on company letterheads

• 1992Mountain Logo introduced. Portwest first garments made in China.

• 1993 - Westport shop after the name changed from Charles Hughes to Portwest

• 1999 - Westport Clothing Ltd becomes Portwest Ltd. on 15 March. Logo redesigned. 

2013 - Portwest launch a complete collection of outdoor clothing in the Heritage Collection

Portwest Heritage Range 1904

2014 - Portwest celebrates 110 years in business and the Hughes family host a Heritage themed day in Westport. They launch of a commemorative book in that celebrates the rich history of the business from its humble beginnings and the political, social and economic obstacles they have faced.i

In the same year Portwest opened the Galway store on High Street in the former Kenny’s bookshop and art gallery. 

Portwest opens Galway store in 2014

 2017 - Portwest open new 3,000 square feet shop at 94 New Street, Killarney

Portwest Killarney Outdoor Shop opens 2017

 2020 - Portwest launches new website - TheOutdoorShop.ie to sell their range of outdoor clothing in their strive to become 'Ireland's favourite Outdoor Retailer'. 

 2021 - Portwest announced as the latest commercial partner with Mayo GAA. This five-year sponsorship deals results in the Portwest logo on the back of all Mayo jerseys. Logo rebranded. 

 2022 - Portwest Opens Newly Refurbished Flagship Store 

Portwest Collection

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Portwest Womens Keel Fleece Lined Rain Jacket | PORTWEST | Portwest IrelandPortwest Womens Keel Fleece-Lined Rain Jacket | PORTWEST | Portwest Ireland
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Portwest Womens Killybegs Padded Rain Jacket | PORTWEST | Portwest IrelandPortwest Womens Killybegs Padded Rain Jacket | PORTWEST | Portwest Ireland
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Portwest Womens Kinvara Padded Jacket | PORTWEST | Portwest IrelandPortwest Womens Kinvara Padded Jacket | PORTWEST | Portwest Ireland
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Portwest Womens Adare Long Padded Jacket | PORTWEST | Portwest IrelandPortwest Womens Adare Long Padded Jacket | PORTWEST | Portwest Ireland
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Portwest Mens Dungarvan Fleece | PORTWEST | Portwest IrelandPortwest Mens Dungarvan Fleece | PORTWEST | Portwest Ireland
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Portwest Mens Lifford Micro Fleece | PORTWEST | Portwest IrelandPortwest Mens Lifford Micro Fleece | PORTWEST | Portwest Ireland
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Portwest Mens Listowel Softshell Jacket | PORTWEST | Portwest IrelandPortwest Mens Listowel Softshell Jacket | PORTWEST | Portwest Ireland
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Portwest Mens Dunmore Rain Jacket | PORTWEST | Portwest IrelandPortwest Mens Dunmore Rain Jacket
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Portwest Mens Rockfleet Sherpa Softshell Jacket | PORTWEST | Portwest IrelandPortwest Mens Rockfleet Sherpa Softshell Jacket | PORTWEST | Portwest Ireland
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Portwest Mens Ballycastle Rain Jacket | PORTWEST | Portwest IrelandPORTWEST MENS BALLYCASTLE RAIN JACKET | PORTWEST | Portwest Ireland
Portwest Portwest Mens Ballycastle Rain Jacket
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Sale price€49.95 Regular price€80.00
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PORTWEST JESSIE SHERPA SOFTSHELL NAVY | PORTWEST | Portwest IrelandPORTWEST JESSIE SHERPA SOFTSHELL JACKET NAVY | PORTWEST | Portwest Ireland
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Portwest Women's Carla Rain Jacket | PORTWEST | Portwest IrelandPortwest Womens Carla Softshell Rain Jacket | Portwest | Portwest Ireland
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Portwest Womens Killarney Rain Jacket | PORTWEST | Portwest IrelandPortwest Womens Killarney Rain Jacket | PORTWEST | Portwest Ireland
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Portwest Womens Clara Micro Fleece | PORTWEST | Portwest IrelandPortwest Womens Clara Micro Fleece | PORTWEST | Portwest Ireland
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Portwest Mens Cong Hybrid Fleece | PORTWEST | Portwest IrelandPortwest Mens Cong Hybrid Fleece | PORTWEST | Portwest Ireland
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Portwest Boys Doonbeg Kids Fleece | PORTWEST | Portwest IrelandPortwest Boys Doonbeg Kids Fleece
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Sale price€15.00
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Portwest Women's Ballycroy Rain Jacket | PORTWEST | Portwest IrelandPORTWEST WOMENS BALLYCROY RAIN JACKET | PORTWEST | Portwest Ireland
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Portwest Unisex Sante Fe Waterproof TrousersPortwest Unisex Sante Fe Waterproof Trousers
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PORTWEST GIRLS INISHBEG KIDS FLEECE | PORTWEST | Portwest IrelandPORTWEST GIRLS INISHBEG KIDS FLEECE | PORTWEST | Portwest Ireland
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PORTWEST ATLANTIC SWIM BOOTIES 3mm | PORTWEST | Portwest IrelandPortwest Atlantic Surf Booties 3mm | PORTWEST | Portwest
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Portwest Adults Changing Towel | PORTWEST | PortwestPortwest Adults Changing Towel | PORTWEST | Portwest Ireland
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Portwest Mens Atlantic II 3mm Steamer WetsuitPortwest Mens Atlantic II 3mm Steamer Wetsuit
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Portwest Womens Atlantic II 3mm Shorty Wetsuit | PORTWEST | Portwest Ireland
Portwest Portwest Women's Atlantic II 3mm Shorty Wetsuit
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Portwest Softshell Bodywarmer | PORTWEST | Portwest Ireland
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Sale price€45.00
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Sale price€399.00
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Sale price€45.00
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PORTWEST BOYS FOTA RAIN JACKET | PORTWEST | Portwest Ireland
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Sale price€45.00
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Portwest Beltra Beanie | PORTWEST | Portwest IrelandPortwest Womens Beltra Beanie | PORTWEST | Portwest Ireland
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Sale price€16.00
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Portwest Mens Atlantic II 3mm Shorty Wetsuit | PORTWEST | Portwest Ireland
Portwest Portwest Mens Atlantic II 3mm Shorty Wetsuit
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Sale price€60.00 Regular price€80.00
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Portwest Compact Umbrella | PORTWEST | Portwest
Portwest Portwest Compact Umbrella
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Sale price€11.00 Regular price€20.00
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Portwest Kilkenny Pom Pom Hat | PORTWEST | Portwest IrelandPortwest Kilkenny Pom Pom Hat | PORTWEST | Portwest Ireland
Portwest Portwest Kilkenny Pom Pom Hat
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Sale price€16.00
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Portwest Teen Girls Atlantic II Steamer Wetsuit | PORTWEST | Portwest Ireland
Portwest Portwest Teen Girls Atlantic II Steamer Wetsuit
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Sale price€63.75 Regular price€85.00
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Portwest Womens Lismore Rain Jacket | PORTWEST | Portwest IrelandPortwest Womens Lismore Rain Jacket | PORTWEST | Portwest Ireland
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Portwest Foldable Trekking Pole | PORTWEST | Portwest IrelandPortwest Foldable Trekking Pole | PORTWEST | Portwest Ireland
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Portwest Shore Booties 3mm | PORTWEST | Portwest Ireland
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Portwest Women's Kinsale Beanie | PORTWEST | Portwest IrelandPortwest Women's Kinsale Beanie | PORTWEST | Portwest Ireland
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Portwest Junior Snorkel SetPortwest Junior Snorkel Set | PORTWEST | Portwest Ireland
Portwest Portwest Junior Snorkel Set
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PORTWEST WOMENS KYLEMORE FLEECE | PORTWEST | Portwest IrelandPORTWEST WOMENS KYLEMORE FLEECE | PORTWEST | Portwest Ireland
Portwest Portwest Womens Kylemore Fleece
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