Ireland: US President Donald Trump has arrived in Ireland for a two-day visit, with a packed schedule of political meetings, diplomatic engagements and a stop at the Irish Open golf tournament at his resort in County Clare.
Trump was welcomed at Dublin Airport by Tánaiste Simon Harris and Irish Foreign Minister Helen McEntee. He is scheduled to meet Irish President Catherine Connolly at Áras an Uachtaráin before holding bilateral talks with Taoiseach Micheál Martin.
The US president will also attend events at the residence of US Ambassador to Ireland Ed Walsh in Dublin’s Phoenix Park before travelling to County Clare, where he is expected to watch the Irish Open at Trump International Golf Links and Hotel Doonbeg, which he owns.
Gaza issue expected to feature in Trump-Connolly meeting
Trump’s meeting with President Catherine Connolly is attracting particular attention amid calls for the Irish president to raise the situation in Gaza.
Connolly, who has been outspoken in her support for Palestinian rights and previously criticised Trump’s approach to tariffs, has faced pressure from Sinn Féin and other political parties that supported her presidential campaign to address the Middle East conflict during her meeting with the US president.
Ireland has been among the European Union countries most vocal in its support for Palestinian rights, a position that has drawn criticism from Israel.
Major security operation underway
Irish authorities have mounted one of the country’s largest-ever security operations for Trump’s visit. Thousands of people are expected to take part in protests in Dublin, with another demonstration planned in Doonbeg.
Trump flew from Joint Base Andrews in Maryland aboard Air Force One. His visit marks another trip to Ireland after previous visits in 2019 and 2023.
Trump keen to attend Irish open
A major highlight of the visit will be Trump’s appearance at the Amgen Irish Open in Doonbeg. The US president has previously spoken enthusiastically about attending the tournament and watching Irish golfer Rory McIlroy and other leading players.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin said he looked forward to welcoming Trump and discussing issues of mutual interest, while highlighting the longstanding economic, cultural and people-to-people ties between Ireland and the United States.
Trump is expected to be accompanied by his sons, Eric Trump and Donald Trump Jr., during his time in Doonbeg. The visit combines high-level diplomatic engagements with Trump’s longstanding interest in golf and his connection to Ireland through his County Clare resort.
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