TIPPERARY TD Michael Lowry says that plans for a new racecourse at Two-Mile Borris could be dusted off following last week’s invitation from Horse Racing Ireland for submissions to build Ireland’s second all-weather facility.

Lowry was spokesperson for a project launched in 2010 to build a huge resort in the Tipperary village near Thurles, which would have included a casino, hotel, conference centre, along with a turf and all-weather racetrack. Dublin businessman Richard Quirke was the landowner.

The plan went off the rails in 2013 when the Government of the day decided not to licence large-scale casinos.

PLANS

Speaking to The Irish Field, Lowry said: “The original plan was scuppered by the Government’s decision as the casino was to be the economic generator for the various elements of that project.

“That plan has subsequently been reconstructed and the site remains in the ownership of the Quirke family, who obviously would be interested in maximising the return on their investment.

“There has been renewed interest in the site from a number of parties ouside of the racing fraternity and you could say that the Quirke family is observing developments with interest.

ATTRACTION

“The site has obvious attractions in terms of HRI’s requirements – it has already been deemed appropriate and suitable for an all-weather track and its location is ideal, both for motorway access and for the racing industry.

“It has planning permission for an all-weather track which meets international standard, and that permission has been extended for another four years.

“Senior HRI executives and international experts were involved in the original design.”