U.S. President Donald Trump is scheduled to visit Ireland on September 12 to attend the Amgen Irish Open at his Doonbeg golf resort in County Clare. The visit, described by government sources as a "logistical nightmare," is expected to include the president potentially performing the prize-giving ceremony and turning the sod on the new U.S. Embassy development in Dublin.
Sources indicate that senior government officials are concerned about the timing of the visit, which coincides with Ireland holding the rotating Presidency of the Council of the European Union. This dual role places additional demands on already stretched Garda security resources. Compounding these concerns is the anticipated extradition of Daniel Kinahan from Dubai to Ireland in the coming weeks. Government sources have expressed a desire to avoid any overlap between Trump's visit and Kinahan's arrival.
"The prospect of Kinahan and the president coming at the same time is one we don’t want to think about," a senior source stated. Another official added, "This will create havoc. We thought he might come the day before the (Irish Open) tournament started because the logistics of him arriving in the middle of it will be a nightmare." The official also noted Trump's apparent desire to be present for the prize-giving, referencing his participation in the World Cup trophy presentation, which was described as awkward.
If Trump travels to Dublin, he is expected to meet with Taoiseach Micheál Martin at Government Buildings and President Catherine Connolly at Áras an Uachtaráin. While President Connolly has been critical of Trump, she has stated she would meet him if he visited, as part of her constitutional duties.
Government concerns extend to the potential for protests, with over 70 percent of respondents in a recent poll indicating they would not welcome a Trump visit. There is also apprehension that the president might seek to address a high-profile public event.
Officials are reportedly favoring a model similar to George W. Bush's 2004 visit, which was brief and contained. However, ministers acknowledge that managing Trump presents unique challenges. "How do you organise Trump? Even his own people can’t," one minister remarked. Another added, "It's more a case of dealing with it hour by hour and hoping he doesn’t declare war on anyone."
Security arrangements for the visit are a significant challenge. The Irish Open, scheduled from September 10-13, is expected to attract over 20,000 spectators daily to the Trump International Golf Links. U.S. Secret Service arrangements during Trump's 2019 visit to Doonbeg involved a 10-mile cordon, restricted public access, and airport-style security screening. The remote location of the venue, coupled with ongoing security challenges, including past assassination attempts on Trump, intensifies these concerns. U.S. officials have expressed doubts about the feasibility of providing adequate security while allowing for spectator attendance and normal event operations.
Trump has previously expressed his intention to visit Ireland for the Irish Open, mentioning his "beautiful place" in Doonbeg and his desire to watch players like Rory McIlroy. U.S. sources suggest Trump cannot travel before September 11 due to the 25th-anniversary commemorations of the September 11 attacks in the United States, which would make his absence "unthinkable."