‘Top-class’ equestrian centre for Tipperary
The Equestrian Venue is an addition to the planned Tipperary Venue on a 900-acre site at Two-Mile-Borris outside Thurles, which was granted planning permission last year but will be the subject of a hearing by An Bord Pleanála next month.
The entire €460 million blueprint includes a casino, 500-room hotel, 15,000-seat indoor entertainment arena, horse racing and greyhound racing tracks, and a replica of the White House.
Launching the equestrian element of the plan, developer Richard Quirke said this “unrivalled addition” to the development will provide an “invaluable and world-class addendum” to his vision for a sporting, cultural and entertainment hub of global proportions.
The centre has been designed to host the largest events on the equestrian calendar including international showjumping, dressage, eventing, vaulting and reining competitions.
Ex-agriculture minister Joe Walsh, chairman of Horse Sport Ireland, said the equestrian sector was worth over €400m yearly to the Irish economy, with more than 53,000 regular participants.
“Ireland has a worldwide reputation as a horse country and a venue like this would be a great asset to the sector.”
The indoor arenas will comprise of a gross floor building area of approximately 34,000 square metres and include a 5,000-seat arena, warm-up arena along with bar and restaurant facilities. There are also two secondary outdoor arenas and a polo field. Promoters say over 1,000 people will be employed annually over the three years of construction of the entire Tipperary venue and a further 1,800–2,000 jobs will be provided when the facilities open.
Former garda Richard Quirke is the man behind the Dr Quirkey’s Goodtime Emporium amusement arcade on Dublin’s O’Connell Street. A native of Tipperary, he has been building up a 900-acre land bank in the Two-Mile-Borris area in recent years.
Independent TD Michael Lowry, who has supported the project from the outset, said the equestrian centre “enhances our vision” for the Tipperary Venue.
“Ireland has lacked a quality international arena and the Tipperary Venue Equestrian Centre will provide much-needed facilities for world-class show jumpers.
“This new centre with its state-of-the-art facilities will promote and encourage sport, leisure and breeding side of the equestrian industry,” he said.
