Trump Visits Ireland For Golf And Diplomacy As 4,000 Security Personnel Guard Trip

US President Donald Trump arrived in Ireland on Saturday, September 12, for a two day visit combining diplomacy and golf, with around 4,000 police and security personnel deployed across Dublin and County Clare.

Trump landed in Dublin aboard Air Force One and met Prime Minister Micheál Martin and President Catherine Connolly. He is also due to attend the Irish Open at his Trump International Golf Links resort in Doonbeg, County Clare.

The visit took an unexpected political turn when Trump backed Irish reunification. Asked about a united Ireland, he said, “I’d love to see it unified.” He added, “It’s going to happen eventually. It may as well happen now. I think it would be a fantastic thing.” Trump acknowledged that “the UK will have something to say about it.”

Democratic Unionist Party leader Gavin Robinson rejected the remarks, saying Northern Ireland’s future should be decided by its people, “not by commentary in London, Dublin or Washington.” The British government said its position remained unchanged, with a referendum dependent on evidence of majority support for constitutional change under the Good Friday Agreement.

Trump also discussed the Falkland Islands dispute, saying that if Argentina tried to seize the islands, he could be “called into that potential disaster” but would probably be able to “settle it out.”

Economic ties were another focus. Trump joked that Ireland had “fleeced us” by attracting American medical and pharmaceutical companies, adding, “There’s a lot of room to go around and our relationship with you is fantastic.” US companies employ roughly 10% of Ireland’s workforce.

Trump’s meeting with Connolly drew attention because the largely ceremonial president has previously criticised his policies on immigration, Gaza and Iran. Their talks come amid differences over West Asia, the US war with Iran, tariffs on European pharmaceuticals, immigration and Ireland’s support for Palestinian rights.

Security measures are extensive, with armed officers, snipers, anti drone systems, specialist units and more than 10,000 planned 12 hour police shifts. The operation is expected to cost about 20 million euros. Road restrictions and airspace and maritime controls are affecting Dublin, Shannon and Doonbeg.

Thousands of protesters are expected over Trump’s policies, Gaza, Iran and US foreign policy. Meanwhile, around 40,000 spectators are expected at the Irish Open, with Rory McIlroy among its biggest attractions.

Trump’s Doonbeg resort is also facing an environmental dispute over proposed development, including a permanent ballroom, amid concerns about the endangered narrow mouthed whorl snail and its protected habitat.

Trump is expected to spend part of the two day visit at Doonbeg, combining presidential diplomacy with his long standing interest in golf.