THE Irish Bar of the Year awards for the South West regional took place last night and a Tralee man won a top prize.

Garry O’Donnell from Baily’s Corner on Castle Street was voted ‘Pub personality of the year’ for the South West Region at the awards held in Bobby Byrne’s Bar, O’Connell Avenue, Limerick.

Unfortunately Garry was unable to attend the awards last evening as the Kerry Vintners had an annual event in Killarney.

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Garry’s nephew Garrett was on hand to collect the award on his behalf. Garry is one of seven finalists who will go forward to the Grand Final at the RDS Concert Hall Dublin 4 on Wednesday November 21.

The winner will be crowned the ‘Pub personality of the year’. This category acknowledges an outstanding individual in the pub who has a friendly and obliging character which contributes to the customers’ overall positive experience in the pub.

An impressive resume preceeded Garry O’Donnell before eventually going on to establish Baily’s Corner in 1984.

After acquiring a vast knowledge about the hotel, food and beverge industry working throughout Europe, the Middle East, South Africa and London Garry eventually came home to Kerry where he managed two very prominent hotels in the Kingdom.

This gave Garry the know how and insight needed to create a legacy that is not only a thriving business but also a focal point in the wider community.