The chief executive of Co Mayo firm Portwest, Harry Hughes, has been named this year's EY Entrepreneur of the Year.
Portwest specialises in safety products and workwear and employs more than 2,100 people worldwide, selling to more than 100 countries.
Harry Hughes runs the business in Westport with his brothers Cathal and Owen and they have driven revenues from nearly €200,000 in 1979 to over €140m in 2016.
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Last night Mr Hughes was described by the judging panel as a visionary leader who has built a world-class business.
Over 1,500 business leaders from across the island of Ireland attended last night's awards.
This year's finalists collectively employ over 5,200 people and last year generated revenues of almost €0.5 billion.
Evelyn O'Toole, founder of Complete Lab Solutions, was named EY Industry Entrepreneur of the year, while Jack Teeling picked up the award for Emerging EY Entrepreneur of the year award.
Harry Hughes will now go on to represent Ireland at the World Entrepreneur of the year awards in Monte Carlo in June 2018, where he will compete with over 60 leading entrepreneurs from across the globe.
