Trump Granted Permission for Ballroom in Doonbeg Subject to Snail Protection

Local authorities in Ireland have placed an ecological barrier before the expansion of a luxury resort owned by Donald Trump. Clare County Council has granted conditional approval for a new ballroom at the Trump International Golf Links in Doonbeg, but its realization depends on meeting fourteen conditions. The key condition mandates the protection of one of the dunes' smallest inhabitants – the microscopic snail Vertigo angustior. The European Union's Habitats Directive, adopted in 1992, forms the legal basis for protecting endangered species and their habitats within the Community. Its aim is to maintain or restore a "favorable conservation status" for species listed in its annexes, such as Vertigo angustior. Member States, including Ireland, are obligated to implement its provisions into national law and enforce them for all projects, regardless of scale or investor profile. The decision, published on February 24, 2026, concludes a multi-year application process. Donald Trump's son and manager of family interests, Eric Trump, called the project the future "nicest ballroom in the country." The planned 1,240-square-meter facility is to accommodate up to 320 people and serve as a year-round attraction for hotel and golf club guests. However, according to the environmental organization Friends of the Irish Environment, a "terminal decline" in the protected snail's population has been recorded in Doonbeg since 2019. This species, measuring only about 2 millimeters in length, is threatened primarily by coastal erosion and changes in dune structure, which can be exacerbated by recreational activity.„"the nicest ballroom in the country"” (the nicest ballroom in the country) — Eric Trump The planning permission conditions provide a concrete response to these concerns. The golf club must first develop and then – in close cooperation with the state agency National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) – implement a detailed management plan for the protection of this mollusk. This plan aims to restore and maintain a "favorable conservation status" for the species in the area affected by the development. It also includes a monitoring program to track the population's status. This approach reflects a compromise model often used in EU environmental procedures: instead of prohibiting development, the investor is obligated to undertake active ecological compensation and minimize negative impact. Local authorities determined that it is possible to reconcile tourism infrastructure development with biodiversity protection. They indicated that the new building will meet high architectural standards and will not negatively impact the landscape values of this coastal region. The decision was made after considering both environmental reports and submissions from the public and non-governmental organizations. For the Doonbeg golf club, which is a significant local employer, the new ballroom is intended to be a key addition to its offerings. Its construction is also expected to benefit the regional economy by attracting more guests and events. Thus, economic interest meets the requirements of nature conservation law, and the project's success now depends on the meticulous fulfillment of the imposed conditions. Supervisory authorities will monitor progress regarding the protection of Vertigo angustior, meaning the final opening of the ballroom could be delayed if the environmental targets are not achieved.