President Donald Trump is scheduled to travel to Ireland next month for a two‑day visit that will include an appearance at the Irish Open golf tournament on Sept. 12‑13. The event will be held at Trump International Golf Links Ireland, his privately owned course in Doonbeg, County Clare, on the Atlantic coast.
Official itinerary and business context
According to a White House official who spoke on condition of anonymity, the president will arrive in Ireland on Sept. 12, meet with U.S. embassy staff and American business leaders, and then join the tournament crowd at the Doonbeg course. The official emphasized that the trip is part of the president’s duties, though the timing also aligns with Trump’s broader effort to promote his family’s golf properties.
Trump’s golf holdings have become a recurring element of his public schedule. His course in Bedminster, New Jersey, hosted a LIV Golf event in August, while the Doral resort in South Florida is slated to host the Cadillac Championship in March 2028. He has also spoken about the possibility of Turnberry, Scotland, hosting the British Open again, though logistical challenges remain.
Previous overseas golf trips
Last summer, Trump spent five days in Scotland, playing at Turnberry and opening a new Trump golf course in Balmedie, Aberdeenshire. During that trip he met with then‑British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to discuss trade matters, a meeting the White House described as a working visit rather than a vacation.
Trump frequently travels to his courses in Florida, New Jersey and Virginia, but he has not taken extended holidays while in office. In his 2004 book Think Like a Billionaire, he wrote, “Don’t take vacations. What’s the point?”
Political backdrop
The Irish trip comes as Trump prepares to rally Republican support ahead of the November elections. He is slated to host the GOP’s first‑ever national convention in Dallas on Sept. 9‑10, an event he proposed to energize the party before the midterm cycle.
Trump has previously criticized former President Barack Obama for flying long distances for golf outings, noting the carbon footprint of those trips. He reiterated that point last year, contrasting Obama’s travel to Hawaii with his own schedule.
Public and media response
The announcement was first reported by the New York Post and later confirmed by the Associated Press. Critics have raised questions about the blending of official duties with personal business interests, noting that the president’s sons now manage day‑to‑day operations of the Trump Organization.
Supporters argue that the president’s presence highlights American investment in Ireland and promotes tourism to the region. Local officials in County Clare have welcomed the attention the Irish Open will bring to the area.
Looking ahead
After the tournament, Trump is expected to depart Ireland and return to the United States, where he will continue campaigning for Republican candidates and preparing for the upcoming national convention. The trip underscores the ongoing debate over how presidential travel intersects with private business interests.
Original reporting: Alexandria, VA News – WTOP News — read the source article.
