It looks like Bill Cullen is not taking his own advice. The multi-millionaire car dealer, who famously dispenses pearls of homespun wisdom to wide-eyed apprentices on TV, lost more than €2 million on his Co Kerry hotel, Muckross Park, in 2008, according to newly filed company accounts. The five-star retreat, which Cullen co-owns with his partner Jackie Lavin, has total debts of €11.5 million.
Ever heard of Breffny Morgan? Me neither? But he describes himself as a “bona fide celebrity” and he’s visiting schools around the country to talk about success and stardom – at a cost of €5 a pupil. The 22-year-old Corkman was, apparently, a participant on the TV 3 show The Apprentice and he was kicked off after the ninth week. But, as he puts it, there is success in failure. Morgan and fellow contestant Stephen Higgins are visiting 40 secondary schools for the half-hour talks.