US president Donald Trump during his visit to Doonbeg in 2023. Photo: David Conachy
Irish Independent Newsdesk
ReutersToday at 13:24
US president Donald Trump may visit Ireland in September during the Irish Open golf tournament that is being hosted at the Co Clare course owned by his family, the American ambassador to Ireland said on Thursday.
Mr Trump last made an official visit to Ireland as president in 2019 when he stayed at the Trump International Golf Club in Doonbeg. The Irish Open will be held from September 10 to 13 at the golf resort that Trump bought in 2014.
“We do have a potential presidential visit at the Irish Open in September,” ambassador Edward Walsh told an American Chamber of Commerce Ireland event in Dublin.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin will meet President Trump at the White House next month during the annual St Patrick’s Day meeting in Washington.
Mr Trump regularly visits his Doonbeg golf course, which was granted planning permission this week for the “nicest ballroom in the country”.
The development, which consists of the demolition of the hotel’s existing marquee and its associated service areas, and the demolition of Doughmore House, is, according to Donald Trump’s son Eric, set to be “spectacular”.
US president Donald Trump during his visit to Doonbeg in 2023. Photo: David Conachy
Today’s News in 90 seconds – Thursday February 26
Earlier this week, Sports Minister Patrick O’Donovan said he expects Mr Trump to visit Ireland “at some point in the future”, but that the Government had not yet been given notice of any trip.
Mr O’Donovan suggested Mr Trump’s plans would likely become clear after the St Patrick’s Day visit.
Eric Trump previously told the Sunday Independent that his father is making plans to be in Doonbeg in September.
“I think he’s gonna be here. He really wants to be here, and I know Rory McIlroy definitely wants him here,” Eric Trump said.