Trump's Irish Open Visit Puts Doonbeg in Global Spotlight as Dublin Protests Erupt
Trump's trip to Doonbeg for the Irish Open drew worldwide attention, a heavy Gardai presence, and thousands of protesters in Dublin.
US President Donald Trump's visit to his golf resort in County Clare to watch the Irish Open has turned the small Atlantic coast village of Doonbeg into a focus of international attention.
Trump was seen at Trump International Golf Links watching play at the tournament. His son Eric told national broadcaster RTE on Friday that the resort is the largest employer in the area.
Earlier on Saturday, Trump held meetings in Dublin with Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin and Irish President Catherine Connolly. During his meeting with Martin, he said he would like to see the reunification of the Republic of Ireland with the United Kingdom's Northern Ireland.
"I don't want to cause any problems but I'd love to see it unified," Trump told a reporter who asked for his view on the issue. "It's going to happen eventually. It may as well happen now."
At his next stop, addressing business leaders from both countries at the US ambassador's residence, Trump acknowledged there is "no good answer" to the reunification question.
A protest march against his visit drew thousands to central Dublin. Many in the crowd waved Irish or Palestinian flags and chanted "Donald Trump not welcome here." Trump had already left the city and was on his way to Doonbeg by the time the demonstration began.
The security operation around the resort has been extensive, with hundreds of Irish police officers, known as Gardai, blocking roads across the area. A fleet of red double-decker buses ferried ticket-holding fans to the Open past security checkpoints.
Protests also took place closer to the tournament, with people gathering by the roadside carrying signs and banners opposing Trump's positions on the Middle East, immigration and transgender rights. Among the demonstrators in Dublin was a balloon depicting Trump as a baby.
Support for the visit was also visible locally, rooted less in Trump's policies than in the economic role of the resort. One local resident said that love him or hate him, people come to see the resort and the community is lucky to have it.
Trump's attendance at the Irish Open continues his pattern of appearing at high-profile sporting events and, in some cases, helping to organize them in ways that benefit his family business.