By Open Chronicle with agencies
US President Donald Trump has arrived in Ireland for a two day visit combining high level political meetings in Dublin with a trip to his golf resort in County Clare, as Irish authorities implement one of the largest security operations ever mounted for a visiting foreign leader.
Air Force One touched down at Dublin Airport shortly after 8.20am, where Trump was welcomed by Tánaiste Simon Harris.
The president is scheduled to meet Irish President Catherine Connolly at Áras an Uachtaráin before holding talks with Taoiseach Micheál Martin at the nearby Farmleigh Estate. Later, Trump is expected to travel west to Doonbeg, where his golf resort is hosting the Irish Open.
The visit comes amid close economic and cultural ties between Ireland and the United States, but also political differences and planned demonstrations against the American president.
Trump welcomed at Dublin Airport
Trump’s arrival began an intensive programme of official engagements and security measures across Dublin.
Simon Harris greeted the US president at the airport before Trump’s scheduled journey into the capital, where much of the first day will focus on meetings with Ireland’s political leadership.
One of the most closely watched encounters will be with President Catherine Connolly, who has previously been critical of Trump.
The meeting at Áras an Uachtaráin, the Irish president’s official residence in Phoenix Park, will be followed by an engagement with Micheál Martin at Farmleigh.
The talks are expected to cover bilateral economic relations, international affairs and the longstanding connections between Ireland and the United States.
Martin highlights strong US Ireland relationship
Ahead of the visit, Martin said he was looking forward to welcoming Trump and discussing issues of mutual interest.
The Taoiseach emphasized what he described as the strong economic, cultural and people to people ties connecting the two countries.
The United States remains enormously important to Ireland economically, particularly because of the presence of major American multinational companies, while generations of Irish migration have created extensive cultural and family connections across the Atlantic.
Those relationships give presidential visits considerable political significance even when Dublin and Washington disagree over individual international or domestic policy questions.
Reception planned at US ambassador’s residence
Trump is also expected to address invited guests at Deerfield, the official residence of US Ambassador to Ireland Edward Walsh in Phoenix Park.
Hundreds of guests were arriving ahead of the president’s appearance.
Former taoisigh Bertie Ahern and Enda Kenny were among those attending, alongside prominent figures from Irish business and entertainment.
Ryanair chief executive Michael O’Leary and dancer and entertainer Michael Flatley were also expected to be present.
A marquee has been erected in the grounds for Trump’s speech, with American flags decorating the historic property.
Preparations even reflected some of the music traditionally associated with Trump’s political appearances. Sound checks included the Village People’s “YMCA” and Lee Greenwood’s “God Bless the USA,” which has frequently accompanied Trump at rallies and public events.
Doonbeg and the Irish Open
After completing his Dublin engagements, Trump is expected to travel across Ireland to Trump International Golf Links and Hotel in Doonbeg, County Clare.
The resort is hosting the Irish Open, giving the president’s visit an unusual sporting dimension.
Martin described the tournament as a fitting conclusion to what he called a remarkable sporting summer for Ireland and the United States, adding that he hoped an Irish golfer would lift the trophy on Sunday.
Trump’s ownership of the Doonbeg property has long given him a personal and commercial connection to Ireland in addition to the traditional political relationship between Washington and Dublin.
The presidential movement to County Clare will also significantly expand the geographical scale of the security operation, with measures planned around Doonbeg and Shannon Airport.
Major Garda security operation
An Garda Síochána has deployed extensive resources for the visit.
Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly said peaceful demonstrations would be facilitated wherever possible, but warned that police would not tolerate public disorder or attempts to interfere with movements involving the US president.
“We have robust policing plans in place and will arrest and prosecute those committing offences,” Kelly said.
Water cannon will be available on standby, although the commissioner said he hoped there would be no need to deploy them.
The security operation covers Dublin Airport, central Dublin, Phoenix Park, County Clare and Shannon Airport.
Road closures and traffic disruption are expected throughout the visit as Trump’s motorcade travels between locations.
Protests planned during visit
A number of demonstrations opposing Trump’s visit have also been announced.
The protests mean Irish police face the dual task of protecting one of the world’s most heavily guarded political leaders while allowing peaceful public demonstrations to proceed.
Authorities have stressed that the right to protest will be respected, provided demonstrations remain peaceful and do not interfere with security operations.
The presence of protesters also reflects the complicated political character of Trump’s visit. The relationship between Ireland and the United States remains exceptionally close, but Trump’s policies have generated significant opposition among sections of Irish society and political life.
Diplomacy, economics and politics
Behind the ceremony surrounding the presidential visit are substantial economic interests.
Ireland’s economy has developed deep links with the United States, particularly through American investment in technology, pharmaceuticals, financial services and other industries.
At the same time, Washington’s approach to international trade has created uncertainty for European economies heavily dependent on transatlantic commerce.
Those economic questions are likely to form part of the broader discussions between Trump and Ireland’s leaders.
International conflicts and security issues could also feature prominently, given the rapidly changing geopolitical environment confronting both Washington and European governments.
A highly visible presidential visit
Trump’s two days in Ireland bring together several different dimensions of the US Irish relationship.
There is formal diplomacy in Dublin, a large gathering of political and business figures at the US ambassador’s residence, the personal connection created by Trump’s Doonbeg resort and the sporting backdrop of the Irish Open.
There will also be protests, extensive road closures and an extraordinary security presence accompanying every presidential movement.
For the Irish government, the objective will be to emphasize the depth of the relationship with Washington while maintaining Ireland’s ability to express its own positions on international issues.
For Trump, the trip offers both a presidential diplomatic stage and a return to one of his most prominent properties in Europe.
For Ireland, the arrival of Air Force One on Saturday morning marks the beginning of two days in which the country’s relationship with the United States will be unusually visible, both politically and publicly.