President Donald Trump wrapped up a two-day Trump Ireland visit this weekend. He mixed high-level diplomacy with a stop at his own golf course. Trump met Irish President Catherine Connolly and Taoiseach Micheál Martin in Dublin on Saturday. He then flew to Doonbeg, County Clare, to watch the Amgen Irish Open. The trip marked Trump’s first visit to Ireland since returning to office. It quickly became about more than golf, after his comment backing a united Ireland drew reactions from leaders across Ireland and the UK.
A Quick Stop in Dublin Before Doonbeg
Trump landed in Dublin on Air Force One on Saturday morning. He met Connolly at Áras an Uachtaráin, her residence in Phoenix Park. He then held talks with Martin at Farmleigh House, the government’s state guesthouse. Trump also spoke to American and Irish business leaders at Deerfield, the U.S. ambassador’s residence in Dublin.
He kept his time in the capital short. His real destination was Doonbeg, where his family’s golf resort hosted the Irish Open for the first time. To avoid planned protests and traffic, Trump skipped the drive and flew straight to Doonbeg by helicopter instead.
Police built a large security operation around both the Dublin stops and the Doonbeg resort. Reports put the number of personnel involved at close to 1,000, including U.S. Secret Service agents.
United Ireland Comment Draws Reaction
During a press event with Martin, a reporter asked Trump about Irish reunification. He said he would “love to see” a united Ireland and called it inevitable. He added that it “may as well happen now.”
The comment drew quick responses from several directions. Former Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams welcomed it. He said the remark reflected broad sentiment across North America. Adams also said Martin had placed himself outside that view by not backing a vote on the issue.
Former Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar said Trump’s endorsement was welcome. He added that a united Ireland remains a decision for people on the island to make, under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement. UK Reform leader Nigel Farage said he disagreed with Trump’s comments. The remark also drew a response from UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham.
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Protests Track Trump Through Dublin
Trump’s visit did not pass without pushback. Thousands gathered for a demonstration at the Garden of Remembrance in Dublin’s Parnell Square. Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald said her party would join the protests. She also called on Connolly to raise U.S. support for Israel during the war in Gaza while meeting Trump.
More protests were planned near Doonbeg and Shannon Airport, where Trump landed on his way to the golf resort. Some Dublin residents complained about the disruption caused by road closures and the heavy security around Trump’s route. One taxi driver told reporters the president was “causing mayhem” just to reach his golf course. A university student said she found Trump’s visit “shameful” given his record on immigration and women’s rights.
Golf Resort at the Center of the Visit
Trump International Golf Links sits on Ireland’s Atlantic coast in County Clare. The course hosted the Amgen Irish Open for the first time this year, with the tournament running from September 10 to 13. Six-time major champion Rory McIlroy returned to defend his title, along with Irish favorites Shane Lowry and Pádraig Harrington.
Eric Trump told Irish broadcaster RTÉ that the Doonbeg course is the largest employer in the area. Trump planned to stay through Sunday’s final round and the prize presentation before heading back to the White House. He arrived at Doonbeg in a heavily guarded convoy, followed by staff in an armored golf buggy some reporters have nicknamed “Golf Force One.”
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Trade and Business Talk on the Agenda
Golf was not the only item on Trump’s schedule. He also planned to discuss trade and other international issues with Martin during his stop in Dublin. The two leaders have worked to keep U.S.-Ireland relations steady, even as trade disagreements have come up between Washington and the European Union.
Daniel Mulhall, a former Irish ambassador to the United States, said Irish and American officials would likely see the trip as a chance for Trump to relax at a course he genuinely enjoys. He added that the wider relationship between the two countries remains on solid footing, even if not every country can say the same about its ties with Washington.
Martin first invited Trump to attend the Irish Open during a St. Patrick’s Day visit to Washington back in March. Ireland’s leaders have generally treated the visit as an opportunity to keep relations warm, despite disagreements over trade and foreign policy elsewhere.
A Pattern of Sport and Business Mixing
This is not the first time Trump has combined official travel with events tied to his family’s golf business. His courses in Doral, Florida, and Bedminster, New Jersey, have each hosted tournaments this year. The LIV Golf league held two of its events at Trump-owned courses over the past year.
Trump is also set to attend the Presidents Cup near Chicago later this month, in his usual role as honorary chairman. Since returning to office, he has attended the Super Bowl, the Daytona 500, and the FIFA Club World Cup final, among other major sporting events.
The Doonbeg trip was Trump’s first visit to Ireland during his second term. He also visited the country in 2019, during his first term, when Connolly and other politicians joined protests against the trip. Connolly now holds Ireland’s largely ceremonial presidency, making this weekend’s meeting their first face to face encounter in office.
The Ireland stop came after a busy week for Trump. He had headlined the Republican Midterm Convention in Dallas earlier in the week, then attended a 9/11 anniversary ceremony at the Pentagon on Friday. He traveled to Dublin with members of his family, before the short hop to Doonbeg for the rest of the weekend.
This weekend’s visit adds to a travel pattern that keeps landing Trump at venues tied to his own business interests, even while he handles official state matters along the way. Supporters see it as a natural mix of his personal interests and presidential duties. Critics argue the arrangement blurs the line between government travel and family business promotion.
FAQ
Why did Trump visit Ireland this weekend?
Trump traveled to Ireland for a two-day trip that combined official meetings with Irish leaders and a stop at the Amgen Irish Open. The tournament was held for the first time at his golf resort in Doonbeg, County Clare.
What did Trump say about a united Ireland?
Trump told reporters he would “love to see” a united Ireland and called it inevitable. He said it “may as well happen now,” a comment that drew mixed reactions from leaders in Ireland and the UK.
Who did Trump meet with in Dublin?
Trump met separately with Irish President Catherine Connolly and Taoiseach Micheál Martin. He also spoke to U.S. and Irish business leaders at the American ambassador’s residence in Dublin.
Why did Trump take a helicopter to Doonbeg instead of driving?
Trump flew to Doonbeg to avoid planned protests and heavy traffic along the road route. The move also helped keep to his tight schedule for the weekend.
Were there protests during Trump’s visit?
Yes. Thousands joined a demonstration at the Garden of Remembrance in Dublin, and more protests were planned near Doonbeg and Shannon Airport. Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald said her party would take part.
Is this Trump’s first visit to Ireland?
No. Trump visited Ireland once before, in 2019, during his first term in office. This weekend’s trip was his first visit to the country since returning to the presidency.
