Tipperary Venue Explained

The Tipperary Venue was a proposed super casino development on a projected 325ha 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.

Proposed development

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.[6] [7] 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.[8] Thurles racecourse, owned by the Molony family, reputedly "agreed to close" upon completion of the proposed project.[9] It was suggested that 1,000 people could be employed during the three years of planned construction.[10]

Status

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.[11] [12] [13] 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.[14] In September 2011, then Minister for Justice Alan Shatter said the casino was "[ruled] out" based on a cabinet decision.[15] 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.[16] 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.[17] [18]

Following submissions by Quirke in 2013, the Irish Independent reported that there was "no sign of the Government altering its ban on supercasinos".[19] 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.[20] [21]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: From the Bertie Bowl to the Vegas of Munster – five big ideas that never got off the ground . Independent News & Media . independent.ie . 6 December 2021 . 29 December 2021 .
  2. Web site: Tipperary casino complex granted planning permission. 13 June 2011. Irish Times. 13 June 2011.
  3. Web site: Tipperary set for 'mind-blowing' track . Irish Examiner . irishexaminer.com . 28 October 2009.
  4. Web site: €460m gamble on Ireland's Las Vegas . archiseek.com . 2009 . https://web.archive.org/web/20101107050019/http://two.archiseek.com/2009/e460m-gamble-on-irelands-las-vegas/ . 7 November 2010 .
  5. Web site: Whatever happened to... A €460m 'Las Vegas-style' casino in Tipperary? . Journal Media Ltd . thejournal.ie . 7 January 2017 . 30 October 2021 .
  6. Web site: Tipp Venue Hold up Rumours Scotched - Local . Tipperary Star . https://archive.today/20130217212023/http://www.tipperarystar.ie/news/Tipp-Venue-Hold-Up-Rumours.6480796.jp?articlepage=1 . 17 February 2013 .
  7. Web site: Dublin's famous Dr Quirkey's arcade has fallen foul of the taxman . Journal Media Ltd . thejournal.ie . 7 March 2017 . 31 October 2021 .
  8. Web site: Tipperary venue plans unveiled . RTÉ News . rte.ie . 1 November 2010 . 31 October 2021 .
  9. Web site: Kevin Blake: What next for the Tipperary Venue? . theirishfield.ie . 16 September 2016 . 31 October 2021 .
  10. Web site: Thumbs Up For Tipp Supervenue . sbpost.ie .
  11. News: Two-Mile Borris casino given go ahead . 13 June 2011 . 13 June 2011 . RTÉ News.
  12. Web site: Tipperary casino and leisure complex given the go ahead by An Bord Pleanála. 13 June 2011. the journal.ie. 13 June 2011.
  13. Web site: 'Vegas' casino will bring money and jobs to Tipp – Lowry. 13 June 2011. Irish Independent. 13 June 2011.
  14. Web site: Approval for Las Vegas-style casino. 13 June 2011. Belfast Telegraph. 13 June 2011.
  15. Web site: Laws set to block Tipperary casino resort. 21 September 2011. Irish Examiner. 21 September 2011.
  16. Web site: Two-Mile Borris super casino ruled out. 21 September 2011. RTÉ News. 21 September 2011.
  17. Web site: Two-Mile Borris multi-million casino plan shot down by Justice Minister Alan Shatter. 21 September 2011. Irish Independent. 21 September 2011.
  18. Web site: Govt block plans for Two-Mile Borris casino . 21 September 2011 . Business and Finance . 21 September 2011 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120329151348/http://www.businessandfinance.ie/cat_news_detail.jsp?itemID=4075 . 29 March 2012 .
  19. Web site: Only rich could afford to come to my casino, says Richard Quirke . Independent News & Media . independent.ie . 11 November 2013 . 31 October 2021 .
  20. Web site: Planning application details ref: 17601351 Tipperary County Council - Extension of Duration . Tipperary County Council . eplanning.ie . 6 February 2018 . 31 October 2021 . This extension of duration shall expire on 22/03/2023 .
  21. Web site: Extension of planning permission for 'Tipperary Venue' . Nenagh Guardian . nenaghguardian.ie . 22 February 2018 . 31 October 2021 .