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US President Donald Trump set for Irish visit next month

Gabija GataveckaiteBBC News NI Dublin correspondent
News imageEPA/Jim Lo Donald Trump wearing dark suit and green tie. Standing at a podium in front of Irish and American flags. Trump has grey hair.EPA/Jim Lo
Donald Trump is expected to visit Dublin to turn the sod on the new US embassy

US President Donald Trump is set to visit the Republic of Ireland next month.

Trump will spend two days at his golf course in Doonbeg, County Clare, where he will attend the Irish Open golfing tournament.

He is also expected to visit Dublin to turn the sod on the new US embassy. His visit will be a large security operation both in Clare, where he has visited before, and the Irish capital.

While the details of his itinerary are still being finalised, BBC News NI understands he will be flying into Dublin on Air Force One first and holding a bilateral meeting with the taoiseach (Irish prime minister) at his official residence, Farmleigh House in the Phoenix Park.

Where will Trump go to?

He is also expected to visit the Irish president Catherine Connolly at her official residence Aras an Uachtarain, also in the Phoenix Park, although this is yet to be confirmed.

President Connolly has been critical of President Trump in the past.

He will also turn the sod on the new US Embassy in Ballsbridge in south Dublin, before travelling to County Clare to attend the Irish Open.

'Nothing better than Irish-American friendship'

News imageEPA/Jim Lo Donald Trump (left) beside Micheál Martin who is presenting him a shamrock bowl. Both wearing dark suits and green ties. Martin has a shamrock on his lapel. Both have grey hair.EPA/Jim Lo
US President Donald Trump with Taoiseach Micheál Martin partaking in a shamrock bowl presentation

An enthusiastic golf fan, Trump said last month that he hopes to travel to Doonbeg to watch the Irish Open.

In a special video message, he told the US Embassy's Fourth of July celebration event that he wants to see "Rory [McIlroy] and all the great players".

"There's nothing better than Irish-American friendship and I have a beautiful place over there - it's one of the best, most beautiful golf courses anywhere in the world," said Trump in his message, which was broadcast on a large screen.

"We have a place that's so top and we have the Irish Open going to be there. They call it Trump National, we sometimes use the name of the location, but it's Trump National Golf Club, and we're looking forward to it.

"We're going to have a tremendous celebration. I think I'm going to come over and I'm going to see it and watch. It'll be something very, very special."

Masters champion Rory McIlroy and fellow European Ryder Cup player Jon Rahm are among the high-profile players set to compete at Trump International Golf Links from 10-13 September.

McIlroy, who will be defending the title he won last year, played a round of golf with Trump in early 2025.

Trump last visited Ireland in June 2019, during his first term in office.