The Tipperary Venue was a proposed super casino development on a projected site adjacent to the M8 motorway at Two-Mile Borris, County Tipperary in Ireland. 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. While, as of 2015, the project's developers were reportedly "continuing to purchase land and properties in order to develop a casino", as of 2017 it was reported that existing and proposed Irish gambling legislation would not support the scale of the proposed casino. 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. 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. There were further plans for an 18-hole golf course, driving range, retail outlets, equestrian centre, timber chapel, and a heliport. The developer's brochure stated that some of the buildings would be powered by "alternative energy", covered in grass and landscaped into the surrounding environment. The facility's initial plan included approximately 6,000 car spaces. The project's initial instigator and primary backer was "slot-machine tycoon" Richard Quirke. Other initial supporters of the project reportedly included local Independent TD Michael Lowry (described by the Irish Examiner as "closely associated with the project"), racehorse trainer Aidan O'Brien, and concert promoter Denis Desmond. Thurles racecourse, owned by the Molony family, reputedly "agreed to close" upon completion of the proposed project. It was suggested that 1,000 people could be employed annually for the three years of planned construction and a further 2,000 full-time jobs created thereafter. 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. The proposed project reportedly "ran into trouble almost immediately" and was opposed by the conservation body An Taisce and a number