Tag Archives: White Group Hotel

THE operator of the direct provision centre in Lisdoonvarna received €2.35m (including VAT) in fees from the State in 2020, writes Gordon Deegan. The payout for 2020 represents a 50% increase on the €1.564m fees paid out to James White & Co Ltd by the State in 2019. The White firm operates the King Thomond Hotel in Lisdoonvarna and the payment brings to €6.15m the company has received since the centre was opened in 2018 to accommodate asylum seekers. The company was paid €1.244m for the period between March and December 2018. The centre is regarded as one of the better run across scores of direct provision centres used to accommodate asylum seekers here with a Minister for State at the Department of Justice, David Stanton previously telling the Dail: “There were concerns about Lisdoonvarna; it is a model now.” The most recent accounts for James White & Co Ltd show the operation of the direct provision centre is producing …

A FORMER UK boxing promoter is to attend the Lisdoonvarna Matchmaking Festival this September, just months after completing a sex-change operation. Kellie Maloney is a well-known transgender person and was formerly known as Frank Maloney, before completing her transition 16 weeks ago. As Frank, she managed Lennox Lewis to the world heavyweight title. Kellie, 61, heard about the festival last year when she was in Dublin for an interview on The Late Late Show. “I tried to get accommodation but there were no hotels available. This year I booked a small cottage, where I can bring my dogs with me,” she said. Kellie is heading to Lisdoonvarna from September 25 to October 4 and also plans to attend the LGBT festival, The Outing. “Now I have completed my journey, I have to decide whether I want a partner or companion. I am going to go to as many events as possible and see what happens. I will throw the dice …