Tipperary Venue

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]

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]

• "The Tipperary Venue Brochure" – via mediafire.com.