DUBLIN – President Donald Trump is taking a break this weekend from the pressures of the Iran war and American voter anger over the conflict’s economic fallout by indulging in one of his favorite pastimes: golf.
After observing the somber 25th anniversary on Friday of the 9/11 attacks that killed more than 3,000 people in New York, Washington, and Pennsylvania, Trump plans to fly to Ireland for a weekend at his eponymous golf resort in Doonbeg on the country’s Atlantic coast. Trump International Golf Links is hosting the Irish Open, which kicked off Thursday.
The president is an avid golfer who hits the links at clubs he owns in Florida, New Jersey, and Virginia just about every weekend. Prime Minister Micheál Martin invited Trump to watch the Irish Open during a St. Patrick’s Day trip to Washington in March, and Ireland’s political leaders will most likely see the visit as a chance to maintain warm relations despite differences over trade and foreign policy.
Daniel Mulhall, a former Irish ambassador to the United States, explained that Irish and U.S. officials will see Trump’s trip “as a happy opportunity for him to have a little bit of R&R in a place that he really loves, which is his golf course in Doonbeg.”
“The relationship with America is on an even keel, which is great because not every country in the world can say that,” he noted.
Balancing Politics and Leisure
Trump plans to sit down on Saturday to talk about trade and international issues with Martin and will also have a brief meeting with President Catherine Connolly, a progressive campaigner who was elected Ireland’s ceremonial head of state last year. He’ll give remarks to business leaders at the U.S. ambassador’s residence, as stated by the White House. Following these discussions, he will travel to Doonbeg to attend the tournament, and possibly present the winner’s trophy on Sunday.
The U.S. and Ireland share deep historical ties, with approximately 30 million Americans claiming Irish heritage and more than 1 million Americans visiting Ireland annually. The economic bonds are also robust, as the Irish Treasury benefits from billions in corporate tax from U.S. technology and pharmaceutical companies operating in Ireland. Additionally, American firms contribute to employment for more than 200,000 people in the country.
Despite Ireland being a member of the European Union, which has often been a target of Trump’s ire, its lucrative pharmaceutical sector has so far avoided steep levies.
However, the Middle East remains a potential source of friction between the two nations. Ireland has recognized a Palestinian state and has banned goods from Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, positions that are not aligned with the Trump administration’s policies.
Mixed Reception in Ireland
Martin, leading a center-right coalition government, has developed a cordial relationship with Trump during previous St. Patrick’s Day visits. Nonetheless, Trump remarked in the Oval Office in March 2025 that “of course” Ireland was among countries taking advantage of the United States.
Not everyone in Ireland is welcoming Trump’s visit. More than 150 Irish lawyers signed a letter objecting to the visit, alleging that through support for conflicts in Gaza and Iran, Trump is “executing and enabling war policies which are illegal, causing death and destruction on a massive scale.”
A coalition of left-leaning opposition parties, anti-military groups, pro-Palestinian organizations, environmentalists, and others plans to demonstrate in Dublin on Saturday, highlighting the polarized opinions surrounding Trump’s presence.
Trump as Sports Fan-in-Chief
Trump’s attendance at the Irish Open continues his trend of appearing at prominent sporting events and even organizing some that benefit his family business. His clubs in Doral, Florida, and Bedminster, New Jersey, have each hosted professional golf tournaments this year.
In July, Trump commemorated the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence from Britain by staging a UFC fight night on the South Lawn of the White House and sanctioning the first IndyCar race ever held on the streets of Washington.
Since beginning a second term in office in January 2025, he has attended major events such as the Super Bowl, the Daytona 500, the FIFA Club World Cup final, and the U.S. Open men’s tennis final. Furthermore, he recently announced his attendance at the Presidents Cup golf tournament in late September, continuing his role as honorary chairman of the matches.
Last summer, he visited his golf courses in Scotland, meeting then-Prime Minister Keir Starmer and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen during the trip.
Trump’s visit has prompted a significant security operation in the rural area 175 miles (280 kilometers) west of Dublin, complicated by the presence of around 20,000 golf fans attending the Open.
Local councilor Rita McInerney, who owns a shop in Doonbeg, remarked that Trump’s purchase of the golf course in 2014 has been a mixed bag for the town. She noted that Doonbeg has been “vilified” by some in Ireland due to its Trump connection, but emphasized that the resort is a major employer and a responsible member of the local business community.
The area attracts many American tourists, some of whom come because “they love the golf more than they hate Trump,” she explained. “And then there’s a group of people that will come because they follow Trump or they like Trump or they support him in the U.S. And then there’s other people that will avoid the place because he owns it.”
