President Donald Trump has arrived in Ireland for the 2026 Irish Open, which is being held at his Trump International Golf Links & Hotel in County Clare. Before heading to the tournament, Trump took part in official engagements in Dublin, including a meeting with Taoiseach Micheál Martin. He spoke about the resort during his meeting with Taoiseach Micheál Martin and overstated his role in the golf course’s development.
As reported by the Irish Mirror, Trump praised the talent of several Irish golfers, including defending champion Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry. “You have a lot of great Irish players who are doing really well,” Trump said. He then turned his attention to the golf course, claiming that he had it, despite the venue predating his ownership of the property.
“It’s been a tremendous success,” Trump said. “It’s rated one of the greatest courses in the world and I’m very honored to have it. I’ve owned it for…I built it about 22 years right on the ocean. So it’s very exciting.”
Trump bought the resort years after the course opened
The 80-year-old president has owned the Doonbeg resort since 2014, when the Trump Organization purchased the property for a reported €15 million. Given that timeline, the report noted that his claim about building the course was inaccurate, as the course had already opened before Trump acquired the property.
In 2002, the then-Doonbeg Golf Club opened its course, which was designed by Australian golfer Greg Norman. The course later underwent changes after Trump acquired the property, with Martin Hawtree redesigning it two years after the purchase.
After buying the five-star golf resort, Trump said via The Irish Times, “Doonbeg is an already terrific property that we will make even better – it will soon be an unparalleled resort destination with the highest standards of luxury.”
According to Top 100 Golf Courses, Trump International Golf Links & Hotel ranks 12th among the best courses on the Island of Ireland and 58th in Britain and Ireland. This year marks the first time the Irish Open has been played at the County Clare resort. Last year’s tournament was held at The K Club in Straffan, County Kildare.
Trump’s attendance at the Irish Open is one of several golf-related appearances on his schedule this year, with the PGA Presidents Cup in Chicago also coming up. “I made a promise to come over. If I could do it, I said I would. The Irish Open is a big event in Ireland and frankly all of the world,” he said.
Some Irish golfers also weighed in on Trump’s attendance. McIlroy acknowledged that the president’s visit would bring additional logistical and security considerations but said he had no issue with it overall. “Obviously, there’s a lot that goes on,” the six-time major champion said. “But at the same time, if he wants to come and watch the Irish Open, who are we to say no?”
