By Mike Fitzgerald
IT’S NOT looking likely that newly-elected US President Donald Trump will visit County Clare during his first 100 days in office.
Bookmakers Boylesports have set out odds of 8/1 for 45th president of the United States and West Clare hotelier to visit Ireland during his first one hundred days in
office.
While matters such as the pardoning of January 6th rioters and a visit to UK prime minister Keir Starmer have better odds, the twice-impeached president has always shown great appreciation for Ireland and his Doonbeg golf resort in particular.
During his memorable visit to Ireland in 2019, the president spent two nights at his hotel in Doonbeg and visited Shannon Airport where he first spoke with Chairperson of Shannon Group, Rose Hynes who said at the time, “The visit has been a huge sign-post for Shannon, something that will grow awareness of the airport as the premier access to this wonderful part of Ireland”.
Mr Trump was also very well received in Doonbeg where he owns the Trump International Golf Links & Hotel.
The president spent two nights there during the course of stay and found time to work in two rounds of golf, bringing worldwide media attention to the small West Clare village. Secretary of Doonbeg Community
Development Cathal Bunnie said at the time, “For Doonbeg, for West Clare it is massive because there isn’t a person that I could pick out anywhere that doesn’t know where Doonbeg is and that
has got to be a good thing”.
While the visit was mostly a success, protests in Shannon and Dublin slightly soured the occasion. English born poet and former Doonbeg resident Martin Vernon called the events “stomach wrenching and embarrassing” as he and many others spent days at Shannon airport protesting at its use by the US military and President Trump’s visit.
