Trump visits Ireland to see Irish Open

CONTENTIOUS VISIT: Trump is not loved by all in Ireland, with its strong national pro-Palestine stance, and many protests were scheduled in Dublin for his arrival

US President Donald Trump landed in Ireland under tight security Saturday for two days of diplomacy and golf, on a trip that again blurs the lines between his presidency and personal business interests.

Trump touched down at Dublin airport in his Qatari-gifted plane on Saturday morning.

At least 4,000 police and other personnel, including snipers, were mobilized for the visit, in what has been called one of the biggest security operations ever mounted in Ireland.

The plane carrying US President Donald Trump lands in Dublin on Saturday.

Photo: AFP

Thousands of anti-Trump protesters are planning to rally in Dublin, where the US leader would hold separate meetings with Taoiseach Micheal Martin and President Catherine Connolly.

Trump is then due to fly to his luxury resort in Doonbeg, on Ireland’s west coast, where golfers are competing in the Irish Open tournament.

The golf-mad president — whose relaxed relationship with the game’s rules was documented by sports journalist Rick Reilly in the 2019 book Commander in Cheat — may even award the trophy today.

“He’s really just visiting the golf resort he owns and dropping into Dublin for a courtesy visit,” said Trinity College Dublin history professor Daniel Geary. “He sees little difference between his private interests and his role as president.”

SELF-PROMOTING

The 80-year-old oligarch has brazenly promoted his family’s golf business since returning to the White House for his second stint as president in January last year.

Last summer, he welcomed then-UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and EU chief Ursula von der Leyen to his plush resort at Turnberry on the west coast of Scotland.

Trump then inaugurated another golf course bearing his name in the town of Balmedie, near Aberdeen on the northeast Scottish coast.

“He certainly sends a message that he is passionately interested in his own family’s business,” University of Minnesota law professor Richard Painter said ahead of the Ireland trip. “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.”

Security arrangements for the visit are reportedly costing Ireland 20 million euros (US$23.2 million) and comes as the country grapples with a massive policing operation for its six-month presidency of the EU.

Trump’s trip to Doonbeg — a remote, coastal site in County Clare that the Trump Organization purchased in 2014 — adds an extra layer of complexity to the security effort.

About 40,000 people are expected at the tournament over the weekend, many to see six-time major winner and world number two Rory McIlroy.

McIlroy, who has played golf with Trump, told the BBC this week that the tournament would feel “different” with Trump present, but that the players would just “keep our heads down and play.”

SHORT AND COURTEOUS

Trump’s first meeting is with Connolly, who occupies the largely ceremonial role of president. She is a left-winger and Trump critic, who is under pressure to bring up Gaza during their discussions.

Trump would then see Irish leader Martin, whom he has hosted twice in the Oval Office and appears to get on well with.

The Middle East, including the US and Israel’s war on Iran, and US tariffs on EU pharmaceuticals and immigration are likely to be on the agenda.

Ireland and the US have long been close allies, partly because of ancestral ties.

However, the Irish government’s politics diverge sharply with that of the Trump administration on many issues — particularly support for the Palestinians.

Ireland is among several countries, including Spain, the UK and France, that have announced a trade ban targeting Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank.

“Martin is experienced enough that it should be fine at the political level. The big uncertainty is President Connolly,” said Dublin City University political researcher Eoin O’Malley. “She protested against his last visit [in 2019], and her supporters would 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.”