Trump Lands in Ireland as Security Tightens for Golf and Diplomatic Meetings

US President Donald Trump arrived in Ireland on Saturday for a two-day visit that will combine high-level political discussions with an appearance at the Irish Open golf tournament at his Doonbeg resort.

Trump touched down at Dublin Airport shortly before 8:25 am (0725 GMT) aboard the aircraft gifted to him by Qatar, AFP reporters observed.

Irish authorities have mounted a massive security operation for the visit, deploying at least 4,000 police officers and other personnel, including snipers.

The operation is being described as one of the biggest security deployments in Ireland’s history.

Thousands of anti-Trump demonstrators are also expected to take to the streets of Dublin as the US president meets separately with Irish President Catherine Connolly and Taoiseach Micheal Martin.

After his meetings in the capital, Trump is expected to head to Doonbeg on Ireland’s western coast, where the Irish Open is attracting some of the world’s leading golfers.

Trump, an avid golfer, could potentially hand over the winner’s trophy on Sunday.

Daniel Geary, a US history professor at Trinity College Dublin, said the trip appeared to blend Trump’s presidential responsibilities with his private interests.

“He’s really just visiting the golf resort he owns and dropping into Dublin for a courtesy visit,” Geary told AFP.

“He sees little difference between his private interests and his role as president.”

Questions over business interests

Trump has been an enthusiastic promoter of his family’s golf empire since returning to the White House for a second term in January 2025.

During the previous summer, he hosted then-British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and EU chief Ursula von der Leyen at his Turnberry resort in Scotland.

He later opened another Trump-branded golf course near Aberdeen.

Richard Painter, a University of Minnesota law professor and government ethics specialist, said Trump’s business promotion could become a political liability.

“He certainly sends a message that he is passionately interested in his own family’s business,” Painter said.

“It’s not going to help the Republican party in the midterms to have the president… promoting his golf courses for the super-wealthy, when other people are having trouble making ends meet,” he added.

The security arrangements for Trump’s Ireland visit are reportedly costing the country about 20 million euros ($23 million).

The expense comes while Ireland is already managing a major security operation associated with its six-month presidency of the European Union.

Trump’s visit to Doonbeg has further complicated the arrangements because the resort is located in a remote coastal area of County Clare and was purchased by the Trump Organization in 2014.

Around 40,000 spectators are expected at the Irish Open, where Rory McIlroy, a six-time major winner and current world number two, is the biggest attraction.

McIlroy has previously played golf with Trump and told the BBC that having the US president at the tournament would make the event feel “different”.

However, he said the players would simply “keep our heads down and play”.

Trump set for talks with Irish leaders

Trump’s first political engagement will be with President Catherine Connolly, a left-wing politician who has previously criticised the US president.

Supporters are expected to press Connolly to raise the Gaza conflict during their meeting.

Trump will then meet Taoiseach Micheal Martin, whom he has welcomed to the Oval Office twice.

The two leaders are expected to discuss a range of issues, including the Middle East, America’s and Israel’s war on Iran, US tariffs on EU pharmaceuticals and immigration.

Although Ireland and the United States have traditionally enjoyed close relations due in part to their shared ancestral links, their governments differ considerably on several international issues.

One major area of disagreement is the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with Ireland taking a strong position in support of the Palestinians.

Ireland has joined Spain, the UK and France in announcing a trade ban targeting Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank.

Eoin O’Malley, a political scientist at Dublin City University, said Martin was likely to navigate his meeting with Trump without major difficulty.

However, he said Connolly’s meeting could be more politically sensitive.

“Martin is experienced enough that it should be fine at the political level. The big uncertainty is President Connolly,” O’Malley told AFP.

“She protested against his last visit (in 2019), and her supporters will expect her to make some show for them. But she’s also aware that she cannot do or say anything that might inflict damage on the relationship.

“I expect it will be short and courteous.”

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