Entrepreneur and businesswoman Gillian Bowler has passed away

The former head of Budget Travel and chairperson of Irish Life and Permanent Gillian Bowler has passed away.

Gillian and her husband Harry Snyder founded the package holiday firm in 1975.

Ms Bowler who was in her 60's is understood to have been ill for some time - she was the first woman to be appointed as head of an Irish financial institution.

A celebration of her life will take place on Saturday at Mount Jerome Crematorium in Dublin - Ms Bowler is survived by her mother, husband, step-daughter and extended family.