Celebrating Mayo Day in the sunshine of Lanzarote
By Tom Gillespie
AT long last it's back - flights from Ireland West Airport to Lanzarote, that glorious sun-soaked isle off the coast of Morocco.
We have been going there for three decades, initially out of Dublin, then Shannon, and it became most accessible when Ryanair commenced flights from Ireland West Airport.
However, just pre-Covid that route was suspended and we had to fall back on an over-priced, over-crowded and the snail-like queuing nightmare at Dublin Airport.
Everything about the capital’s airport is stressful - from taxiing there, the two-hour plus wait to reach check-in and security screening, not forgetting the rip-off beverage charges - the best part of the journey being the train trip to Heuston.
But Ireland West Airport, being on our doorstep, is a God-send. Parking is hassle-free and you are through check-in and security screening in 10 minutes 30 seconds (see article on page 20).
We had a quiet pint, or two, airside in view of the departure gates and after boarding the Ryanair flight Lanzarote was just four hours away, arriving at Arrecife at 4.30 p.m.
On alighting from the aircraft you are greeted with the blast of beautiful hot air. Getting through passport control and baggage collection and to the outside taxi rank can take a few minutes, depending on the level of incoming flights.
For those who are not being picked up by travel company representatives, the wait for a taxi can be time-consuming - if the airport is busy. But that is the only downside to a holiday in the sun.
We usually stay in Puerto del Carmen, an eight or 10 minute taxi drive (€15 fare) from the airport. In recent times we have stayed at the Princesa Guayadeque apartments in Puerto del Carmen where Anna and Trudy look after their guests with the ultimate professionalism.
The strip and beach are only minutes away and the variety and choice of restaurants and watering holes are mouth-watering.
We usually eat breakfast out on the first morning and our port of call is the Irish-run Yum-Yum’s outdoor restaurant for a hearty Irish breakfast with a large pot of steaming Barry’s tea. But you need to be there early to get a seat.
Another gem we have found is La Cana Tapas Bar - up the street across from the casino - where the selection of tapas is extraordinary and at rock bottom prices.
Another of our favourites is the Aroma Indian Restaurant where the welcome is genuine and the food top notch. The best Chinese I have found is Go Chen Mein where the interior design is simple yet elegant, with an open kitchen where customers can watch their meals being prepared by skilled Teppanyaki chefs.
The walls are littered with international signatures, including the ‘Mayo 4 Sam’ scribble (pictured).
For fish lovers the best restaurant in Puerto del Carmen is Mardeleva, located overlooking the harbour. It is not the cheapest but if you want a real treat with a fabulous view, I can highly recommend it and it is advisable to book an outdoor table in advance.
Our local pub is The Rendezvous, now under Donegal ownership, and a popular place for the more mature customer.
Last August one of the largest Spanish supermarket chains, Marcadona, opened in Puerto del Carmen and for those tourists who are self-catering this is a a great amenity, with a magnificent fresh fish counter.
We celebrated Mayo Day in Lanzarote on Saturday last. The first port off call was to The Tiny Bar, just off the strip, where barman Paul Walker was proudly wearing a Mayo jersey and he had a selection of Mayo literature and souvenirs all around the bar.
Later, Lynn Boyd in the Rendezvous Bar was also proudly wearing a Mayo jersey as she greeted customers with a Cead Mile Fáilte.