Puerto del Carmen turns forty shades of green

If you happened to be strolling along the seafront in Puerto del Carmen last month, you could have been forgiven for thinking you’d accidentally teleported to Dublin. For three glorious days, the Old Town harbour was painted in forty shades of green as the resort hosted its annual St. Patrick’s Day Festival.

Last year, 385,000 Irish tourists flew to Lanzarote, making a small nation of 5.4 million people the second most important market for the island’s tourism industry. Ireland’s faith in Lanzarote is nothing new, however – it’s a story that has developed over decades, and the St. Patrick’s Day celebrations that take place every year are an increasingly important way of celebrating that relationship.

This year’s festival began on Sunday 15th March with a hurling demonstration that saw eight mixed teams of residents and visitors take to the sand – but it wasn’t just about the Irish sport. The Canarian wrestling community invited two Irish participants into the ring for an exhibition, explaining the techniques and values of the ancient sport as they went. It was a proper cultural handshake.

That same morning, 60 people laced up their trainers for the inaugural 5-kilometre charity walk along the Avenida, organised in aid of the Shine Association and the Green Ribbon Campaign. The route was designed to symbolise a shared journey; starting together, supporting one another, and finishing united against the stigma surrounding mental health. At the time of going to print, the initiative had raised over €1,600 for the cause, proving that the community’s heart is just as big as its party spirit.

Monday afternoon rolled around, and by 5pm the Old Town harbour was buzzing. The culinary corner from Saborea Lanzarote was doing a roaring trade, dishing up everything from black suckling pig sandwiches to gofio churros, all washed down with Irish stout and local Canarian wines. The afternoon kicked off with a symbolic flag exchange between the Güerma Folk Group and the Celtic Roots band, a gesture that underlined the powerful historic bond between The Canaries and Ireland. Then the music took over. DJ Connor Magee, The Sloanes, and Max Santalucia kept the crowd moving well into the evening.

And then came Tuesday. St. Patrick’s Day itself.

Thousands upon thousands lined the streets and filled the Plaza del Varadero. It began in quiet reverence with a mass at the church of Nuestra Señora de Lourdes, where the congregation spilled out onto the pavement, before the crowd paraded down to the main stage. By midday, the square was heaving.

On the stage, Tías Mayor José Juan Cruz acknowledged the decades of work and commitment from the Irish who have chosen Puerto del Carmen as their home. He was followed by Cabildo Councillor Nori Machín and Honorary Consul of Ireland, Eileen Izquierdo Lawlor, who gave a shout out to Irish actress Jessie Buckley for her Best Actress Oscar win.

Then came the moment everyone had been waiting for: the 2026 Irish Awards. This year’s winners included Ryan Chapman (in memory of Charlie Chapman), Johnny and Josie Crowley, Padraig Coffey, Dave and Marie Murphy, and Ann Leneghan. Each received their award to rapturous applause.

No celebration is official without a toast, so officials from the Ayuntamiento and Cabildo lined up with Dicey Reilly’s own Brendan Byrne, pints of Guinness in hand, and raised a glass to the occasion.

Then the party erupted. Al Murphy and Jordan Kay opened the show, followed by a stacked lineup including Celtic Roots, Gayle O’Donovan, Matt Keane, and Sean Magee. Nathan Carter and his band closed the night from 10.20pm until midnight, sending the crowd home hoarse and happy.

And let’s not forget the parade. Thousands lined the seafront road from the Hotel San Antonio to the Fariones as carnival groups, Irish dancers, floats, and classic cars processed past. From there, everyone flooded back to the square to keep the craic going.

It takes a tremendous amount of work to raise a festival, and thanks to Tías Ayuntamiento, Lanzarote Cabildo, Kalma Eventos, and the ever-present Brendan Byrne, this year’s celebration raised the bar yet again.

Events such as this are becoming increasingly important to Lanzarote’s tourist industry, acting as a draw for visitors and a real boost for the businesses that thrive on the occasion.

Here’s to next year. Sláinte.