About Us

Great Outdoors opened its doors on Chatham Street, introducing Dublin and Ireland to a new world of adventure. The very first item sold was a double inflatable air mattress, but the real buzz came from being the first Irish stockist of the exclusive Lowe Alpine Footfang – a game-changing piece of outdoor gear that captured the imagination of early adventurers.

The founding duo of Gerry Collins & Leslie Lawrence brought Great Outdoors to the world to deliver top outdoor gear to Ireland - with great service to boot!

1977 – Great Outdoors became the first to sell Irish-made surfboards, shaped by Hollow Wave in Sligo, bringing surf culture to the heart of Dublin.

1979 – Mountain Equipment launched the iconic Lightline Jacket. A hit with Great Outdoors customers, it remains a favourite among climbers and hikers to this day.

1980 – Lowe Alpine revolutionised backpack design by introducing plastic buckles—now an industry standard. Many of their pioneering models were designed by Jim Leonard, a former Great Outdoors team member.

1982 – Sprayway debuted its first Gore-Tex jacket, the Snipe, and Great Outdoors proudly stocked it, marking a new era in waterproof outdoor gear.

1983 – Tim Leatherman created his first multitool, and Great Outdoors was among the first stores to stock it. A small innovation that became a global essential.

1985 – Cascade Designs opened its first Irish factory in Midleton, Co. Cork. Great Outdoors quickly recognised the potential of their foamless, self-inflating mats and became one of the first European stockists.

1986 – The North Face launched the Base Camp Duffel, and we began stocking it. Decades later, the borderline-bulletproof design remains largely unchanged—and still a customer favourite.

1987 – Great Outdoors proudly sponsored the Irish Zhangzi Tibet Expedition, led by the legendary Joss Lynam, supporting Irish exploration at the highest level.

1989 – Mountaineering icon Sir Chris Bonington gave a talk in-store, sharing stories from his 19 Himalayan expeditions—including four to Everest. A legendary moment for staff and customers alike.

1991 – Salomon, known for snow sports gear, entered the hiking world with their first boots—featuring a unique zip closure inspired by ski design. Great Outdoors was quick to bring them to Irish adventurers.

1992 – Great Outdoors sponsored Ian Wiley (K1) and Mike Corcoran (C1) at the Barcelona Olympics Slalom events, supporting Irish athletes on the world stage.

1993 – Ireland celebrated its first Everest summit. Great Outdoors supplied essential technical gear, advice, and even manned the base camp station—playing a key role in this historic achievement.

1997 – Great Outdoors sponsored Frank Nugent and the South Arís Expedition, a bold re-enactment of Tom Crean’s legendary Elephant Island journey.

1999 – Sealskinz patented their Porelle waterproof fabric, and Great Outdoors stocked their original walking sock—laying the foundation for the brand’s future in socks, hats, and gloves.

2002 – Craghoppers launched their Nosquito range, introducing mosquito-repellent clothing and setting a new standard in protective outdoor wear.

2004 – With support from Great Outdoors and Lowe Alpine, and guided by John O’Regan, Mark Pollock became the first blind man to complete the North Pole Marathon—a truly inspiring achievement.

2005 – Great Outdoors supported Colin Irvine’s 300km kayak expedition down the Zanskar River in Ladakh, India, with gear and tents sponsored by The North Face.

2006 – We proudly sponsored Terrence “Banjo” Bannon’s attempt to summit K2, continuing our tradition of backing Irish explorers on extraordinary adventures.

2007 – Great Outdoors supported the launch of Ireland’s first-ever Junior Paddlefest, which grew to become Europe’s largest junior kayaking event—nurturing the next generation of paddlers.

2009 – John O’Regan completed his epic 7 Continents challenge with a 100km ultramarathon in Australia. Great Outdoors was proud to support his journey across the globe.

2011 – Four Irish models—Rozanna Purcell, Daniella Moyles, Emily MacKeogh, and Lynn Kelly—traded the catwalk for Kilimanjaro, raising over €10,000 for the Make-A-Wish Foundation with Earth’s Edge and gear from Great Outdoors.

2012 – Garmin introduced the first wrist-wearable GPS device, the fēnix, and Great Outdoors was among the first Irish stockists—marking the beginning of a boom in wearable tech.

2017 – Great Outdoors supported Sinead Kane and her guide runner John O’Regan as they completed 7 marathons on 7 continents in 7 days—an extraordinary feat of endurance and determination.

2018 – Jason Black successfully summited K2 with support from Great Outdoors, continuing our legacy of backing Irish adventurers on world-class expeditions.

In 2019, Great Outdoors opened its new flagship store on South Great George’s Street, marking a major milestone in our journey. Designed with the adventurer in mind, the store features a bespoke footwear fitting area, ensuring every customer finds the perfect fit for their next expedition.

We introduced dedicated sleeping bag hanging zones, Sleeping mat testing beds alongside Tent displays, allowing customers to experience warmth, comfort, and insulation before they buy—something rarely offered in retail. The store also showcases in-store brand zones, giving leading outdoor brands their own immersive spaces to highlight innovation and heritage.

Under one roof, we now offer Ireland’s most comprehensive selection of outdoor gear, catering to hikers, climbers, campers, swimmers, and explorers of all kinds. On any given day, our team brings together over 240 years of combined outdoor experience, offering expert advice, real-world insight, and genuine passion for the outdoors.

In 2023, We took a bold step into the future with the launch of a modern, user-friendly website, bringing the spirit of adventure online in a big way over our old website. Designed to reflect the same expertise and passion found in-store, the new platform offers a seamless shopping experience for outdoor enthusiasts across Ireland and beyond.

Customers benefit from lightning-fast delivery, with 96% of parcels arriving the next day when ordered before 12 noon. Whether you're planning a last-minute hike or gearing up for a big expedition, your gear gets to you—fast.

Behind the scenes, our team brings a wealth of outdoor experience to every interaction. Whether through live chat, phone calls, or email, our experts are ready to recommend the right gear, adjust orders, and guide your purchase with the same care and knowledge you'd expect in-store.

The new website isn’t just a shop—it’s a digital extension of the in-store experience that our customers have grown to know and love, making adventure more accessible than ever.