US President Donald Trump is set to arrive in Ireland on Saturday morning for a two-day visit that will combine diplomatic meetings, official engagements and a major sporting event.
Trump is expected to land at Dublin Airport before meeting Irish President Catherine Connolly for a courtesy call and holding bilateral talks with Taoiseach Micheál Martin. He will also attend events at the residence of US Ambassador to Ireland Ed Walsh in Dublin’s Phoenix Park.
A major focus of the visit will be Trump’s appearance at the Amgen Irish Open golf tournament at Trump International Golf Links and Hotel Doonbeg in County Clare, a property owned by the US president. Trump left Joint Base Andrews near Washington, DC, on Friday night aboard Air Force One for the trip.
The visit marks Trump’s return to the Republic of Ireland since 2019, when he also visited his golf resort in Doonbeg.
Irish authorities have spent months preparing for the president’s arrival, with officials describing the security arrangements as one of the largest operations in the history of the state. Thousands of people are expected to take part in protests in Dublin, while another demonstration is planned in Doonbeg.
Trump’s sons, Eric Trump and Donald Trump Jr., are also expected to accompany him during his time in County Clare.
Micheál Martin said Trump was looking forward to visiting Doonbeg and watching the Irish Open. In a statement before the visit, the Taoiseach said he looked forward to welcoming the US president and discussing issues of mutual interest while reaffirming the strong economic, cultural and people-to-people ties between Ireland and the United States.
Trump, who is an avid golfer, said in July that he hoped to travel to Ireland to watch the tournament and see some of the world’s leading players, including Irish star Rory McIlroy. He also praised his Doonbeg property, describing it as one of the most beautiful golf courses in the world.
Trump’s visit is also expected to bring political issues into focus, particularly the war in Gaza. Irish President Catherine Connolly, who has been outspoken in support of Palestinians and critical of US policies, has faced calls from political parties to raise the situation in Gaza during her meeting with Trump.
Connolly has previously criticised Trump’s approach to international issues and accused him of acting like a “bully” over tariffs. Sinn Féin and other parties that supported her presidential campaign have urged her to use the meeting to address the humanitarian situation in Gaza.
Ireland has been among the European Union countries most supportive of the Palestinian cause and has faced criticism from Israel over its position.
