The Tipperary Venue was a proposed super casino development on a projected 325 hectares (800 acres) site adjacent to the M8 motorway at Two-Mile Borris, County Tipperary in Ireland.[1] As originally planned, the project proposed the building of an all-weather racecourse and greyhound tracks, equestrian centre, 500 room hotel, eighteen hole golf course, 15,000 capacity "underground entertainment" venue, heliport, a replica of the White House and a "Las Vegas Strip-style" casino.[2][3][4]
While, as of 2015, the project's developers were reportedly "continuing to purchase land and properties in order to develop a casino",[5] as of 2017 it was reported that Ireland's gambling legislation did not support the proposed development.[5] The planning permission for the proposed project expired in 2018.[6]
Proposed development edit
The development, which was projected (as of 2009) to cost €460m and subsequently granted planning permission by North Tipperary County Council, was originally proposed to include a 500 room "five star" hotel, a large casino, and a replica of the White House.[4] The venue's proposed racecourse was planned to include a national hunt track, a 7-furlong sprint track and an all-weather flood-lit track. This would be combined with a greyhound track, a dual stadium incorporating a capacity for 7,000 patrons and a 15,000-seater underground entertainment venue with a retractable roof.[3] There were further plans for an 18-hole golf course, driving range, retail outlets, equestrian centre, timber chapel, and a heliport.[4] The facility's initial plan included approximately 6,000 car spaces.[1]
The project's initial instigator and primary backer was "slot-machine tycoon" Richard Quirke.[7][8] Other initial supporters of the project reportedly included local independent TD Michael Lowry (described by the Irish Examiner as "closely associated with the project"),[3] racehorse trainer Aidan O'Brien,[3] and concert promoter Denis Desmond.[9] Thurles racecourse, owned by the Molony family, reputedly "agreed to close" upon completion of the proposed project.[10] It was suggested that 1,000 people could be employed during the three years of planned construction.[11]
Status edit
In June 2011, planning permission was given by An Bord Pleanála for the proposed venue. However, the planning board refused permission for the 15,000-seater "underground" music venue as it was deemed inappropriate considering the rural location.[12][13][14] The proposed project reportedly "ran into trouble almost immediately" and was opposed by the conservation body An Taisce and a number of local residents.[5]
The project was also dependent on the Oireachtas agreeing to pass new gaming legislation to actually allow the casino to open.[15] In September 2011, then Minister for Justice Alan Shatter said the casino was "[ruled] out" based on a cabinet decision.[16] Taoiseach Enda Kenny also ruled out any large-scale gaming venues, stating that the government was concerned about the protection of the young and vulnerable.[17] Legislation was then proposed by the Minister of Justice to provide improved regulation of smaller casinos, and the government also agreed to start work on drawing up further laws.[18][19]
Following submissions by Quirke in 2013, the Irish Independent reported that there was "no sign of the Government altering its ban on supercasinos".[20] As of January 2017, the proposed legislation made "provision for the licensing of modest-sized casinos" only.[5] While the original planning application expired in 2018, the developer applied for (and was granted) an extension until March 2023.[6][21][needs update]
References edit
- ^ a b "From the Bertie Bowl to the Vegas of Munster – five big ideas that never got off the ground". independent.ie. Independent News & Media. 6 December 2021. Retrieved 29 December 2021.
- ^ "Tipperary casino complex granted planning permission". Irish Times. 13 June 2011. Retrieved 13 June 2011.
- ^ a b c d "Tipperary set for 'mind-blowing' track". irishexaminer.com. Irish Examiner. 28 October 2009.
- ^ a b c "€460m gamble on Ireland's Las Vegas". archiseek.com. 2009. Archived from the original on 7 November 2010.
- ^ a b c d "Whatever happened to... A €460m 'Las Vegas-style' casino in Tipperary?". thejournal.ie. Journal Media Ltd. 7 January 2017. Retrieved 30 October 2021.
- ^ a b "Planning application details ref: 17601351 Tipperary County Council - Extension of Duration". eplanning.ie. Tipperary County Council. 6 February 2018. Retrieved 31 October 2021.
This extension of duration shall expire on 22/03/2023
- ^ "Tipp Venue Hold up Rumours Scotched - Local". Tipperary Star. Archived from the original on 17 February 2013.
- ^ "Dublin's famous Dr Quirkey's arcade has fallen foul of the taxman". thejournal.ie. Journal Media Ltd. 7 March 2017. Retrieved 31 October 2021.
- ^ "Tipperary venue plans unveiled". rte.ie. RTÉ News. 1 November 2010. Retrieved 31 October 2021.
- ^ "Kevin Blake: What next for the Tipperary Venue?". theirishfield.ie. 16 September 2016. Retrieved 31 October 2021.
- ^ "Thumbs Up For Tipp Supervenue". sbpost.ie.[dead link]
- ^ "Two-Mile Borris casino given go ahead". RTÉ News. 13 June 2011. Retrieved 13 June 2011.
- ^ "Tipperary casino and leisure complex given the go ahead by An Bord Pleanála". the journal.ie. 13 June 2011. Retrieved 13 June 2011.
- ^ "'Vegas' casino will bring money and jobs to Tipp – Lowry". Irish Independent. 13 June 2011. Retrieved 13 June 2011.
- ^ "Approval for Las Vegas-style casino". Belfast Telegraph. 13 June 2011. Retrieved 13 June 2011.
- ^ "Laws set to block Tipperary casino resort". Irish Examiner. 21 September 2011. Retrieved 21 September 2011.
- ^ "Two-Mile Borris super casino ruled out". RTÉ News. 21 September 2011. Retrieved 21 September 2011.
- ^ "Two-Mile Borris multi-million casino plan shot down by Justice Minister Alan Shatter". Irish Independent. 21 September 2011. Retrieved 21 September 2011.
- ^ "Govt block plans for Two-Mile Borris casino". Business and Finance. 21 September 2011. Archived from the original on 29 March 2012. Retrieved 21 September 2011.
- ^ "Only rich could afford to come to my casino, says Richard Quirke". independent.ie. Independent News & Media. 11 November 2013. Retrieved 31 October 2021.
- ^ "Extension of planning permission for 'Tipperary Venue'". nenaghguardian.ie. Nenagh Guardian. 22 February 2018. Retrieved 31 October 2021.
External links edit
- "The Tipperary Venue Brochure" – via mediafire.com.