North Tipperary County Council’s document Vision and Core Strategy for the years 2010 to 2016 states that the challenges facing Ireland’s North Tipperary cannot be underestimated. “The recent recession has resulted in us finding ourselves in a position of unprecedented downturn within all sectors within the County. During the ‘Celtic Tiger’ years our employment sector and economic development generally has remained low and has been unable to keep pace with the increases in residential population.”

Yesterday morning a planning application was filed with the Council, which if successful would bring a cultural, sporting and leisure complex into the area. The scheme, Tipperary Venue, is supported by local Member of Parliament Michael Lowry who described the €460 million project as: “the most sophisticated and ambitious project that Ireland has ever seen.” The proposed site for the huge casino complex is on 800 acres close to the village of Two-Mile-Borris (Buiríos Léith).

Michael Lowry says he is committed to addressing the need for job creation and support for enterprise development. North Tipperary County Council is seeking to obtain sustainable development for the region. It has been estimated that 1,000 jobs would be created in the construction phase of Tipperary Venue and 2,000 permanent jobs when the facility opened. The developer, Richard Quirke, originally came from the area and is said to have spent €30 million to buy the land and advance the project.

Plans for Tipperary Venue include a 500-bedroom 5-star hotel, a large 6,000 sq m casino, an all-weather racecourse, a greyhound track, a ‘memorial’ full-size replica of the US White House (designed by 18th century Irish architect James Hoban) and a golf course. An underground entertainment centre with retractable roof would hold 15,000 people. As yet there is no legislation for casinos in Ireland and the development is dependent on such a law being passed. However, both the developer and Mr Lowry are convinced that the necessary legislation will be forthcoming, that planning permission will be granted by the Council and that the project has the support of the local community. (E-10.29.09)

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