A tribute to last year’s Irish award winners in Puerto del Carmen

Every year at the St. Patrick’s Day Festival, five local Irish figures are chosen to be awarded on the main stage in recognition of their work and commitment to the Irish and Canarian communities in Lanzarote.

The first edition of the awards ceremony was held last year. After speeches from the Tías Mayor, Cabildo President, and Irish Consulate, the five winners were all brought onto the main stage to receive their awards. The winners were:

JOHN KILLEEN – Lanzarote Investments

John Killeen graduated from university in 1994 and came to Lanzarote on August 27th of the same year to perform at Charlie’s Bar. He worked in live music for approximately six years before starting to work in real estate in 2000. In 2004, he co-founded Lanzarote Investments with a Spanish partner. Now in its 22nd year, the company continues to thrive.

GERRY FLANAGAN – Nelly’s Bar

Gerry Flanagan is a proud Roscommon man, from Castlerea. He bought Nelly’s Bar in 2005, celebrating his 20th anniversary last year on March 19th. It hasn’t always been easy, but he loves the banter and craic which keeps the place going. There are now 3 generations working in the bar which makes it a true family business.

SHAY & KATHLEEN BYRNE – Paddy’s Bar

Shay & Kathleen Byrne arrived in Lanzarote in 2006. They acquired a bar called Patrick’s Well in the Old Town which was owned by Pat & Mai Blake and changed the name to The Rare Auld Times. “The Dublin City Ramblers” band was reborn and continued great success for 5 years, when they retired gracefully, Shay & Kathleen went on and acquired Paddy’s Bar and never looked back.

To quote Shay, “What a wonderful decision we made. What a wonderful island to spend the rest of our lives on. Hopefully a little longer than I expected!”

GILBERT & HAZEL BROWN – Spinnaker

Gilbert & Hazel Brown arrived in Lanzarote with their 3 children, Garrett, Nicola & Raymond from Donegal and opened the bar in April 2001. A small bar to begin with, it grew to a much bigger one over the years through hard work, determination and the love for Lanzarote.

Unfortunately, Gilbert passed away on January 10th, 2026, joining his beloved Hazel.

MAI BLAKE – The Irish Harbour Bar

Pat and Mary Blake opened the doors of The Irish Harbour Bar in the Old Town in December 1992. Mary passed away in 1996 and Pat married Mai in 1998. They ran their business together until Pat’s death in April 2016. Since then, Mai has run the bar successfully together with manager/musician David Timmons.