Viva Las Borris. It really doesn’t take much to cheer us up in this country so we were delighted to hear this week that the man behind Dr. Quirkey’s Good Time Emporium in Dublin is planning to launch an Irish Las Vegas. In Two-Mile Borris. In Tipperary.

Wipe that look off your face; people doubted that a two horse town in the Nevada dessert would ever make it as a tourist resort and look at it now. Richard Quirke, the real life Dr Quirkey, has shown a touch of genius by proposing to put a replica of the White House in his ambitious development. We’re so busy trying to figure out the thinking behind this that nobody has time to wonder who in their right mind would take a trip along the M8 for a night of sin in a massive casino attached to a 500 room hotel, greyhound stadium and concert arena to match the O2.

Time could change all that. Imagine watching local stars like Chris De Burgh, Brian Kennedy and Johnny Logan seven times in a row, matinee and evening shows, does it get any better? Then stumble out onto the strip – avoiding all the Irish journalists stumbling around on acid hoping to write Fear and Loathing in Two-Mile Borris – and head off for a night on the slots followed by greyhounds at dawn. Give us a few free drinks on the blackjack tables and, with the new blood alcohol level, people wouldn’t be able to drive home for days. It could well work; a truly Irish take on Vegas.

Which brings us back to sin. Las Vegas has a reputation in the United States as the place where every vice is permitted, so it’s crucial that what happens in Borris stays in Borris. Once this thing takes off, you can head for Tipp and leave your inhibitions behind at Horse and Jockey.