Founded by Rebecca Hoban and husband Shane Finn, the idea to create a new brand came about after Rebecca lost her jacket on a hike and was frustrated at not being able to find a suitable replacement, designed for the harsh Irish weather and actually made in Ireland.
The first collection was launched in April 2022, consisting of just a long-sleeve t-shirt, a sweatshirt, and a fleece, and the first bricks-and-mortar store followed in their home town of Dingle, in August 2022.
By 2024, the creators made significant strides with the expansion of the collection, launching the first waterproof jacket which had been the dream from day one, symbolising “everything we wanted Outwest to be: innovative, durable, and ready for anything the Irish weather could throw at it.”
Another milestone came that year when Outwest became B Corp Certified, meeting high standards of social and environmental performance.
The vision was always for the founders to become more than just a brand, but “a community of people who value adventure, connection, and the environment”, which is why they chose the seaside town of Greystones.
“We’re incredibly proud of what we’ve built in our retail space and community in Dingle, and we’re so excited to expand. We can’t wait to bring that same spirit to a new home by the sea,” they said in a social media post announcing the opening.
“Greystones has always been a place we’ve felt so naturally connected to. Being by the sea and close to the mountains, its close community, and its love of the outdoors mirrors so much of what inspires us in Dingle.”
The pair have counted themselves “lucky to be opening in a space with such deep history in the town” and will be moving into the former shop of the ‘Queen of Greystones’, the late Bridie Mooney, who for more than 60 years ran Mooney’s shop on Trafalgar Road, a small convenience store that became the heart of the community.
“There’s a huge sense of responsibility in taking care of a place that holds so many local memories which is not lost on us,” they continued. “We can’t wait to do Mrs Mooney proud when we reopen the doors for the first time this spring 2026.”