Dublin protesters rally against Trump's visit to Ireland

Thousands of people took to the streets of Dublin on Saturday to demonstrate against the visit of US President Donald Trump to Ireland.

The crowd marched through the capital carrying banners and flags, among them a sign reading "Trump not welcome" and another declaring "Trump not welcome. Greenland is not for sale." One protester, Silvia Jones, carried a balloon depicting Trump as a baby and said she had dressed as an infant with orange makeup to make her point.

Jones said Trump's remarks about the North of Ireland risked undoing decades of diplomatic work. She argued that his call for a united Ireland, however desirable it might be in principle, was made in a way that could alienate the very parties involved in negotiations, naming the DUP and other elements, and described the intervention as irresponsible and childish.

Another demonstrator, Cillian Whalen, said Trump represented "everything that is wrong in this current society" and questioned why he was being welcomed to Ireland at all. He said the friendship between Ireland and America remained strong, but that the visit was tarnishing it, arguing that Trump's conduct ran counter to what America should stand for and to Ireland's relationship with it as a peaceful nation. He also criticised the president's involvement in overseas conflicts and his stance on Israel.

Debbie McCole said she supported a united Ireland but did not believe it was Trump's place to comment on the situation in the country. She said he had no understanding of the history or of where people here were coming from, and that his remarks only stirred up problems.

The protest was held as Trump visited Ireland on Saturday.