*The Hydro Hotel.
171 Ukrainians are to be relocated from The Hydro Hotel in Lisdoonvarna this July.
Residents are to be relocated from The Hydro Hotel as the State prepares to end its contract to house Ukrainian war refugees in North Clare. 171 residents of the hotel will be relocated from Friday July 4th and will not be replaced with new tenants.
Marcus White and Somjai Kaewmahawong are listed as directors of The Hydro Hotel Ltd in Lisdoonvarna which has received millions from the State for accommodating Ukrainians.
On July 2nd, ten Ukrainians will leave their residence at Kilkee Townhouse with a further six to depart Kilkee Marine Hotel on July 6th.
In a circular issued by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, the next use of these properties is a decision for the provider. From May to November of last year, “about 12,000 beds were returned to tourism use”, the Department stated.
Up to 24,400 people are resident in approximately 680 State-supported Ukraine accommodation at present. Approximately 420 contracts ended in 2024, over 15,000 beds. About 2,400 people are likely to be affected by a contract ending in 32 properties between now and early August.
Clare TD Cathal Crowe (FF) stated, “It has been confirmed to me that the State contract with the Hydro hotel in Lisdoonvarna will not be renewed. The contract will expire in early July and the Department of Justice have confirmed they have no intention to further extend it.
“Since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, the Hydro hotel has accommodated hundreds of Ukrainian families but now with the prospects of a peace deal in sight, the European Union overall, and indeed the Irish State, have to take a more measured approach to contract renewals. Equally, the crisis of accommodating people seeking international protection, which the Government faced over the past two years, has stabilised somewhat,” he said.
Deputy Crowe added, “I think it’s right that accommodation for Ukrainian war refugees and International Protection Applicants in Lisdoonvarna should be scaled back. It is a fact that Lisdoonvarna has played a role greater than any town in Ireland in terms of meeting the needs of these people. In the last four years, the population of Lisdoonvarna has increased four-fold and whilst at the beginning of the crisis there were many boots on the ground and stage agencies supporting the local community, unfortunately much of this help dwindled in the past two years and it is evident that the town is struggling”.
No other contracts to house Ukrainians should be renewed in Lisdoonvarna, Deputy Crowe said. “It’s time for other towns in the country to play their role and I have, on many occasions, told my colleagues in Government that while the people of Lisdoonvarna can be proud of the welcome they showed these people they have done their fair share. I am urging the Government to not renew any other contracts in Lisdoonvarna at this time. It is vital that this North Clare town, so iconic on the West of Ireland tourist trail, has a chance to recover and return to tourism and hotel accommodation”.
