Image source, EPA

If you're just joining us, here's a recap of what has happened during Donald Trump's first day in Ireland:

• The US president landed at Dublin Airport early on Saturday morning
• He travelled to Áras an Uachtaráin - the official residence of the Irish president - where he had a short meeting with Catherine Connolly
• He then made the short journey and held a meeting with Taoiseach (Irish PM) Micheál Martin
• During the meeting he fielded a variety of questions from reporters and told them a united Ireland would be a "great thing"
• That caused reaction from politicians across the UK and Ireland
• He then gave a speech at the US ambassador's residence
• Afterwards he travelled to Doonbeg, County Clare for the Irish Open
• A huge protest, with an estimated 10,000 people, took place in Dublin city centre in the wake of Trump's arrival, while protesters are also present at Doonbeg
• Trump is expected to stay in Doonbeg today and tomorrow before returning to the US on Sunday evening

Enda McClafferty
BBC News NI political editor

Play was stopped in the Irish Open to allow President Trump's helicopter Marine One to land on his Doonbeg golf course.

Irish golfer, and competition leader, Shane Lowry was among the group forced to wait on the third hole while the presidential helicopters landed nearby.

Marine One and Two were joined by two US military chinooks.

Their arrival interrupted play for less than ten minutes.

Spectators watched as President Trump wearing his white baseball cap emerged from Marine One before making the short trip in his cavalcade to the nearby hotel.

Jessica Lawrence
BBC News NI

The protest in Dublin city centre has reached its final destination just in front of Dáil Éireann (Ireland's houses of parliament).

There was a bit of commotion as a group of masked protestors burned a US flag and set off fireworks, but they were quickly escorted away by organisers.

Mairéad followed the demonstration from the Garden of Remembrance down to near St Stephen's Green.

Her sign talks about human rights for all - part of the reason why she's here today.

"It doesn't matter nationality, culture, whatever country you come from, human rights apply to all. And it's very important that we keep it that way," she says.

"We want to stop the human rights atrocities and abuses that are happening around the world, not just America, but in other countries as well."

Down at the Dáil, speakers are giving impassioned speeches to those who have gathered here.

Among them is People Before Profit TD (member of the Irish parliament) Richard Boyd-Barrett.

He says that the US administration's policies and actions in Iran, Lebanon and Venezuela were the "definition of horror and barbarism".

"Donald Trump represents everything that is dangerous and rotten in the world today," he continues.

He also says the Irish government should be "ashamed" for rolling out the red carpet to "welcome this monster to our country".

Niall McCracken
BBC News NI mid-Ulster reporter

In Doonbeg, Jones, 39, is protesting. She's originally from New York, Donald Trump's hometown.

"Especially as a US citizen I feel the need to show that we don't all agree with him and we want him out," she says.

"I hope our voices are heard today and people say that we are serious and this visit should not be wasting Irish taxpayer money."

Jessie Phillips, 60, originally from Tennessee and now living in Killrush, County Clare, says she’s protesting is Doonbeg as a “concerned member of the public”.

“I just want him [President Trump] to see my placard so he knows I don’t care for him and that my family doesn’t care for him and that he’s not welcome here or over there in my opinion.”

Jessica Lawrence
BBC News NI

As the crowd make their way past Trinity College and Grafton Street, there are chants calling for Donald Trump to be “off our streets”.

As for the signs and placards, very few can be pictured due to their expletive nature.

However, many I can see in the vast crowd include references to the president's position on oil drilling and and the US administration's involvement in Gaza.

As it makes its way up Dawson Street, many passers-by on this busy Saturday afternoon are stopping to take photos or take a seat - it might be a while before their bus gets here.

We've heard reaction to President Trump's united Ireland comments from unionists in Northern Ireland, Sinn Féin, Downing Street and the Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch.

But more reaction is coming in as his words continue to reverberate.

The former SDLP leader, Colum Eastwood, who is a nationalist who wants to see a united Ireland and has been a long-time critic of Donald Trump, says in a light-hearted X post that he "always liked him".

Reform UK's Robert Jenrick says Trump is "completely wrong on this" and Northern Ireland will always be "a proud part" of the UK.

Northern Ireland's Health Minister, Robbie Butler, who is from the Ulster Unionist Party, says "Presidents are entitled to their views. But they don't get a vote in Northern Ireland."

In Ireland, the leader of People Before Profit (PBP) Richard Boyd Barrett, who is out protesting against Trump today, says that people in Ireland will be "more concerned" about rising energy bills.

He tells the BBC: "It's all very fine talking about a united Ireland of the top off his head. I'm not sure if it means a whole lot."

Niall McCracken
BBC News NI mid-Ulster reporter

While there's a huge protest under way in Dublin, protesters have also gathered in Doonbeg where President Trump is now going.

Among those at today’s protest is Mary Lawlor, former UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders, who held the role from 2020 to 2026.

Speaking to BBC News NI, she said: “I’m here because I’ve seen first hand how this self serving ignorant bully has caused such havoc, chaos, cruelty and lots of lives around the world.

“He has undermined the rule of law and he has dismantled the democratic process."

She added protests may not "necessarily achieve anything" but that it was important that "people don't lie down" so that "it's not just seen as a triumphant visit".

Also among the protesters is Caolann O’Dwyer, 30, from Lahinch.

He said: “I hope our activity here changes the minds of some people. That’s what I would like to see out of today. I think our overzealous approach to this welcome (of Trump) is fundamentally crazy."

Image source, PA Media

Police have been seen at Trump's golf resort in Doonbeg, County Clare, where the Irish Open golf tournament is being held.

He's travelling there now today to watch the competition, which is taking place until Sunday.

Trump is a keen golfer and Tánaiste (Irish Deputy Prime Minister) Simon Harris told reporters earlier that the president was "very much looking forward" to that portion of the trip.

The Irish police force has described preparations around Trump's visit to Ireland as "one of the biggest security and policing operations" they have ever undertaken.

Only those working at or attending the Irish Open will be allowed to access the Trump International Golf Links and Hotel.

Image source, PA Media

Image source, PA Media

Ireland's Foreign Affairs Minister Helen McEntee says Trump's comments on a united Ireland are "his own opinion".

Speaking to the BBC, McEntee adds that his opinion "doesn't change the the fact that the Irish government's position is clear".

"The UK government position is clear and the Good Friday Friday Agreement is clear.

"Something to this magnitude can only happen where there's consent from the Irish people on the island.

"It's something that that we have to work on and we have to work towards. And really that's what's happening at the moment as well," she says.

McEntee is from Fine Gael, the second largest party in the coalition government.

The party is due in November to present its blueprint on what a united Ireland may look like.

Image source, Reuters

We're now seeing Donald Trump disembarking his plane at Shannon Airport.

After meeting some dignitaries on the tarmac, he got onto the presidential helicopter Marine One.

This next part of the visit is more personal for the keen golfer, who'll be heading to his resort in Doonbeg where the Irish Open is being held.

If follows engagements with Irish officials this morning.

Jessica Lawrence
BBC News NI

Despite Trump's departure from Dublin, the city centre is still feeling his presence.

Thousands of made their way from the Garden of Remembrance and O'Connell Street as they march to the Houses of Oireachtas (Irish parliament).

There are loud drums and chants being sung as the crowd blocks off traffic during the busy afternoon.

Kelly has come with some friends, and dog Evie, to protest Trump’s Irish visit.

“Donald Trump is the disgrace of a human being and he shouldn't be welcomed here by the government,” she says.

Kelly says there are people from all walks of life attending today’s demonstration, which shows just how opposed many people are to the president’s visit.

Like many others here today, Kelly says the president is not welcome.

“And the sad thing is, we know if Donald Trump's gone, there's going to be someone else who will continue that legacy as well.

So, in lieu of expletives, I'll say that.“

Trump's words about a united Ireland could be more than a random commentpublished at 14:19 BST

14:19 BST

Tom Bateman
US State Department correspondent

I would tend to see many things President Trump says at the moment through the prism of the midterm elections for Congress, less than two months away.

He’s just spent two days making the most extraordinary set of appeals to voters, including offering $5,000 to every adult American if his Republican Party keeps control of Congress in a highly contested set of races.

So far, polling suggests the Republicans are on track to lose one or even both houses.

The fact he doubled down on his call for a united Ireland in front of the press and mentioned he had talked about it with the taoiseach suggests to me it could have been a little more than just a random, off-the-cuff remark (although, of course, you can never be entirely sure with Donald Trump).

There are estimated to be some 31 million Americans of Irish descent, with concentrations included in some states like Maine and Pennsylvania which have tight, competitive races in the midterms.

His comments are already making the news in the US and many voters with Irish roots will like what he said.

Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald says the “conversation on Irish unity has shifted” following President Trump’s comments on reunification.

Sinn Féin are the largest opposition party in the Irish parliament and the largest party in government in Northern Ireland.

One of the parties key goals is a united Ireland.

McDonald says the onus is now on Taoiseach Micheál Martin to begin planning for constitutional change.

“I acknowledge President Trump’s comments on the reunification of Ireland,” she says.

“We have secured peace, and as we approach the 30th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement our national journey is now reunification, which is organised, planned and a peaceful transition.”

McDonald also called on Trump to “promote a global agenda for peace” in relation to Palestine and to "stop arming Israel".

Image source, Reuters

Air Force One, carrying President Donald Trump, has just landed at Shannon Airport in County Clare.

A short while ago, it flew over his golf course in Doonbeg.

The president will be heading there shortly to watch the Irish Open tournament.

Enda McClafferty
BBC News NI political editor

Image source, PA Media

Air Force One has completed a fly by over the Trump course in Doonbeg, where the Irish Open is taking place.

Spectators scrambled for photos as the aircraft flew low over the course as it headed for Shannon Airport.

Trump will be heading for Doonbeg after he lands.

Image source, PA Media

While we have already heard from the largest unionist party in Northern Ireland on Trump's united Ireland comments, the second and third largest unionist parties have also had their say.

Leader of the Ulster Unionists (UUP), Jon Burrows, said on X that Trump is "entitled to express his view on the constitutional future of another country".

"But the only people whose decision counts are the people of Northern Ireland."

The Traditional Unionist Voice (TUV) leader Jim Allister said: “Northern Ireland is not a pawn in Trump’s fall out with the UK.

"Our constitutional future does not depend on him or any other foreign dignitary.”

Jessica Lawrence
BBC News NI

Among the speakers at today’s protest is Sinn Féin’s Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire.

Speaking before the rally, he says it is a “significant crowd” which “demonstrates the fact that the Irish people clearly reject the policies and the agenda of this US administration" in Gaza and the Middle East.

Despite the US president being nowhere near the scenes of today’s protests, Ó Laoghaire says it is an opportunity to show the world’s media Ireland’s disdain for US foreign policy.

“Whatever opportunities we have, we take them, and also the Irish government - they have an obligation to articulate Irish foreign policy to President Trump."

There is, however, something Sinn Féin and Trump appear to agree on - the prospect of a united Ireland.

One of the key policies of Sinn Féin, the main party of opposition in the Republic of Ireland and the largest party in Northern Ireland's devolved government, is the creation of a united Ireland.

Ó Laoghaire says Trump’s comments about that happening “eventually” are part of a growing view that there is “momentum” towards unity.

“During the course of my work, I meet ambassadors all over the world. It’s one of the first questions they ask me: ‘What are the prospects of Irish unity?’

“The only person who doesn’t seem to take that on board is Micheál Martin, who has set his face against it and, in my view, is being reckless and careless in failing to plan and prepare for constitutional change in a sensible way.”

Jessica Lawrence
BBC News NI

Traffic is at a standstill now on Parnell Square East in Dublin city centre as the protest against President Trump's visit continues.

Image source, Getty Images

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has said that Donald Trump is "shooting from the hip as usual, just like he did with Greenland and Canada becoming the 51st state" following his comments on a united Ireland.

"This sort of loose talk about the future of democratic countries is deeply unhelpful and creates unnecessary tension," she writes in a post on X. "Northern Ireland is part of the United Kingdom."

Badenoch says at a time when separatists are in power in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, "we need a government that will defend the union clearly and confidently".

Jacob Phillips
Live reporter

Image source, PA Media

Donald Trump has left Dublin for County Clare after a morning of meetings and events in the Irish capital.

Here's what you've missed if you've just joined us:

• US President Donald Trump said he would love to see the island of Ireland unified, speaking during a meeting with Taoiseach (Irish Prime Minister) Micheál Martin
• His comments prompted a loud gasp among the journalists outside Farmleigh House, writes our correspondent Chris Page. Here is a reminder of the context behind Trump's comments
• In response Gavin Robinson, the leader of the Democratic Unionist Party, the largest unionist party in Northern Ireland, said the country's "constitutional future will be decided by the people of Northern Ireland, not by commentary in London, Dublin or Washington"
• Earlier, the president arrived in Dublin amid one of the biggest security operations ever implemented by Irish police.
• Surrounded by pomp and ceremony, the president visited the Áras an Uachtaráin, the official residence of the Irish President Catherine Connolly
• In a wide-ranging press conference alongside Martin, Trump told reporters it would be a "great feather in everybody's cap" if Ireland is unified

• As Trump departed to head towards the Irish Open protesters have also been gathering in Dublin's city centre

Image source, Getty Images