Donald Trump visits Ireland for state talks and Doonbeg golf tournament

Dublin itinerary and official meetings

United States President Donald Trump has arrived in Ireland for official bilateral engagements before travelling to County Clare. His official schedule in the capital is concentrated entirely inside the Phoenix Park. Mr Trump is scheduled to meet Irish President Catherine Connolly at Áras an Uachtaráin for a formal courtesy call. After concluding discussions with the President, he will hold a bilateral meeting with Taoiseach Micheál Martin at the nearby Farmleigh Estate. The diplomatic meetings take place as Ireland holds the European Union Presidency and prepares to host a gathering of European Union heads of state and government in Dublin in November.

Security measures and park closures

Gardaí have deployed what they describe as one of the largest security operations in the history of the state to secure the visit. Phoenix Park was fully closed to pedestrians and road vehicles from 11:00 pm on September 10 until 6:00 pm on September 12 for operational security reasons. Police checkpoints restrict entry at Castleknock Gate, Parkgate Street Gate, and Cabra Gate, leaving passage open only for emergency service vehicles. The restricted park arrangement isolates the Dublin meetings, drawing comparisons to Mr Trump's previous state visit to the United Kingdom where he remained largely within Windsor Castle. Securing the subsequent leg in County Clare involves open terrain along the Atlantic coastline, contrasting with Mr Trump's 2019 presidential visit to Doonbeg, which took place without tournament spectators and prior to threats on his life.

Political tensions and planned demonstrations

The meeting at Áras an Uachtaráin represents a notable political encounter given previous statements made by President Connolly. In speeches delivered in the Dáil last year, Connolly stated that she experienced difficulty even referring to him as "President Trump" and characterised him as a "bully" during her presidential campaign. She also used her first official St Patrick's Day address as head of state to state that the normalisation of war can never be accepted. Demonstrations against the visit were arranged across multiple venues. Organisers scheduled a protest rally at the Garden of Remembrance in Parnell Square East for 1:00 pm on Friday. People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy outlined the intent behind the street demonstrations.

I'm confident that thousands of people will be on the streets tomorrow to oppose the world's biggest warmonger.

Doonbeg resort and the Irish Open

Following his meetings in Dublin, Mr Trump moves to Trump International Golf Links and Hotel in Doonbeg, County Clare. The resort is staging the 99th edition of the Irish Open tournament, where Irish golfer Shane Lowry reached 11-under-par with nine birdies during the second round of competition. Gardaí confirmed receiving advance notice of planned demonstrations in Doonbeg village across the weekend. Eric Trump spoke to reporters on site to promote the tournament and the hotel property before his father attends the golf competition as a spectator on Saturday.

Here we are in Doonbeg. We have a sold-out Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.