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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Women's Airsquare JacketWomen's Airsquare Jacket
Portwest Women's Airsquare Jacket
+2
+1
Sale price€79.95
PW3 Dry Bag RucksackPW3 Dry Bag Rucksack
Portwest PW3 Dry Bag Rucksack
Sale price€60.00
Men's Wexford Fleece
Portwest Men's Wexford Fleece
+1
Sale price€35.00
Kid's Cloudburst Rain Jacket
Portwest Kid's Cloudburst Rain Jacket
+1
Sale priceFrom €17.00
Women's Clonbur Fleece Lined Rain JacketWomen's Clonbur Fleece Lined Rain Jacket
Portwest Women's Clonbur Fleece Lined Rain Jacket
+2
+1
Sale price€70.00
Men's Cashel Fleece Lined JacketMen's Cashel Fleece Lined Jacket
Portwest Men's Cashel Fleece Lined Jacket
+2
+1
Sale price€70.00
Kid's Delphi Fleece Lined Rain JacketKid's Delphi Fleece Lined Rain Jacket
Portwest Kid's Delphi Fleece Lined Rain Jacket
+2
+1
Sale price€40.00
Kid's Cloudburst Rain Trousers
Portwest Kid's Cloudburst Rain Trousers
+1
Sale priceFrom €13.00
Portwest Item Customizations
Sale price€0.01
Portwest Women's Carla Softshell Jacket (2024) | PORTWEST | Portwest - The Outdoor ShopPortwest Women's Carla Softshell Jacket (2024) | PORTWEST | Portwest - The Outdoor Shop
Portwest Women's Carla Softshell Jacket
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+2
+1
Sale price€85.00
Women's Enniscrone PU JacketWomen's Enniscrone PU Jacket
Portwest Women's Enniscrone PU Jacket
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+1
Sale price€80.00
Portwest Women's Clifden Rain Jacket | PORTWEST | Portwest - The Outdoor ShopPortwest Women's Clifden Rain Jacket | PORTWEST | Portwest - The Outdoor Shop
Portwest Women's Clifden Rain Jacket
+1
Sale price€60.00
Women's Powerscourt FleeceWomen's Powerscourt Fleece
Portwest Women's Powerscourt Fleece
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+2
+1
Sale price€45.00
Women's Arranmore FleeceWomen's Arranmore Fleece
Portwest Women's Arranmore Fleece
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+2
+1
Sale price€35.00
Portwest Women's Bearna Jacket | PORTWEST | Portwest - The Outdoor ShopPortwest Women's Bearna Jacket | PORTWEST | Portwest - The Outdoor Shop
Portwest Women's Bearna Jacket
+2
+1
Sale price€60.00
Kid's Phoenix MicrofleeceKid's Phoenix Microfleece
Portwest Kid's Phoenix Microfleece
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+1
Sale price€15.00
Portwest Kids Carlingford Rain Jacket | PORTWEST | Portwest - The Outdoor ShopKid's Carlingford Rain Jacket
Portwest Kid's Carlingford Rain Jacket
+2
+1
Sale price€32.00
Men's Ballycotton GiletMen's Ballycotton Gilet
Portwest Men's Ballycotton Gilet
+2
+1
Sale price€55.00
Portwest Mens Ballycotton Jacket | PORTWEST | Portwest - The Outdoor ShopPortwest Mens Ballycotton Jacket | PORTWEST | Portwest - The Outdoor Shop
Portwest Men's Ballycotton Jacket
+2
+1
Sale price€65.00
Men's Broadhaven FleeceMen's Broadhaven Fleece
Portwest Men's Broadhaven Fleece
+4
+3
+2
+1
Sale price€30.00
Portwest Mens Fastnet Rain Jacket | PORTWEST | Portwest - The Outdoor ShopPortwest Mens Fastnet Rain Jacket | PORTWEST | Portwest - The Outdoor Shop
Portwest Men's Fastnet Rain Jacket
+2
+1
Sale price€70.00
PW BALLYFIN RAIN JACKET | PORTWEST | Portwest - The Outdoor ShopMen's Ballyfin Rain Jacket
Portwest Men's Ballyfin Rain Jacket
+1
Sale price€60.00
Portwest Dromore Beanie | PORTWEST | Portwest - The Outdoor ShopPortwest Dromore Beanie | PORTWEST | Portwest - The Outdoor Shop
Portwest Dromore Beanie
+2
+1
Sale price€16.00
Women's Tara FleeceWomen's Tara Fleece
Portwest Women's Tara Fleece
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+1
Sale price€25.00
Portwest Women's Dunraven Rain Jacket | PORTWEST | Portwest - The Outdoor ShopPortwest Women's Dunraven Rain Jacket | PORTWEST | Portwest - The Outdoor Shop
Portwest Women's Dunraven Rain Jacket
+2
+1
Sale price€75.00
Women's Wicklow FleeceWomen's Wicklow Fleece
Portwest Women's Wicklow Fleece
+3
+2
+1
Sale price€35.00
Ballybrit BeaniePortwest Ballybrit Beanie | PORTWEST | Portwest - The Outdoor Shop
Portwest Ballybrit Beanie
+2
+1
Sale price€16.00
Carrabawn BeanieCarrabawn Beanie
Portwest Carrabawn Beanie
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+1
Sale price€16.00
Save 10%
Portwest Ballybunion Kids Rain Jacket | PORTWEST | Portwest - The Outdoor ShopPortwest Ballybunion Kids Rain Jacket | PORTWEST | Portwest - The Outdoor Shop
Portwest Ballybunion Kid's Rain Jacket
+4
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+1
Sale priceFrom €45.00 Regular price€50.00
Kid's Avoca FleeceKid's Avoca Fleece
Portwest Kid's Avoca Fleece
+3
+2
+1
Sale priceFrom €25.00
Men's Ben FleeceMen's Ben Fleece
Portwest Men's Ben Fleece
+10
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+3
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+1
Sale price€25.00
Portwest Kilrush Fleece Gilet | PORTWEST | Portwest - The Outdoor ShopPortwest Kilrush Fleece Gilet | PORTWEST | Portwest - The Outdoor Shop
Portwest Men's Kilrush Fleece Gilet
+1
Sale price€40.00
Thomond HatThomond Hat
Portwest Thomond Hat
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+1
Sale price€16.00
Student Bundle 2 | Portwest - The Outdoor Shop | Portwest - The Outdoor Shop
Portwest Student Bundle 2
Sale price€25.00
Student Bundle 1 | Portwest - The Outdoor Shop | Portwest - The Outdoor Shop
Portwest Student Bundle 1
Sale price€60.00
Save 33%
Portwest Cork City Men's Fleece | CHARLES HUGHES | Portwest - The Outdoor ShopPortwest Cork City Men's Fleece | CHARLES HUGHES | Portwest - The Outdoor Shop
Portwest Men's Cork City Fleece
+6
+5
+4
+3
+2
+1
Sale priceFrom €20.00 Regular price€30.00
Portwest Skellig Hybrid Gilet | PORTWEST | Portwest - The Outdoor ShopPortwest Skellig Hybrid Gilet | PORTWEST | Portwest - The Outdoor Shop
Portwest Men's Skellig Hybrid Gilet
+2
+1
Sale price€75.00
Save 20%
Portwest Glenveagh Beanie | CHARLES HUGHES | Portwest - The Outdoor ShopPortwest Glenveagh Beanie | CHARLES HUGHES | Portwest - The Outdoor Shop
Portwest Glenveagh Beanie
+5
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+1
Sale priceFrom €12.80 Regular price€16.00
Portwest Boyne Padded Gilet | PORTWEST | PortwestPortwest Womens Boyne Padded Gilet | Portwest | Portwest - The Outdoor Shop
Portwest Women's Boyne Padded Gilet
+2
+1
Sale price€55.00
Save 50%
PW Bundoran Foam Bodyboard 33" | PORTWEST | Portwest - The Outdoor Shop
Portwest Bundoran Foam Bodyboard 33"
Sale price€20.00 Regular price€40.00
Save 50%
Portwest Strandhill EPS Bodyboard | Portwest | Portwest - The Outdoor Shop
Portwest Strandhill EPS Bodyboard (Collection Only)
+1
Sale price€12.50 Regular price€25.00
Portwest Women's Lahinch Wetsuit Vest | Portwest | Portwest - The Outdoor ShopPortwest Women's Lahinch Wetsuit Vest | Portwest | Portwest - The Outdoor Shop
Portwest Women's Lahinch Wetsuit Vest
+1
Sale price€85.00
Portwest Atlantic Surf Booties | Portwest | Portwest - The Outdoor Shop
Portwest Atlantic Surf Booties
+1
Sale price€60.00
Portwest Kids Changing Towel | Portwest | Portwest - The Outdoor ShopPortwest Kids Changing Towel | Portwest | Portwest - The Outdoor Shop
Portwest Kid's Changing Towel
+2
+1
Sale price€45.00
Portwest Kids Fota Rain Jacket | Portwest | Portwest - The Outdoor ShopPortwest Kids Fota Rain Jacket | Portwest | Portwest - The Outdoor Shop
Portwest Kid's Fota Rain Jacket
+2
+1
Sale price€40.00
Save 29%
Portwest Womens Glassmore Rain Jacket | Portwest | Portwest - The Outdoor ShopPortwest Womens Glassmore Rain Jacket | Portwest | Portwest - The Outdoor Shop
Portwest Women's Glassmore Rain Jacket
+2
+1
Sale priceFrom €50.00 Regular price€70.00
Women's Galway City Crop FleeceWomen's Galway City Crop Fleece
Portwest Women's Galway City Crop Fleece
+6
+5
+4
+3
+2
+1
Sale price€30.00

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