President Donald Trump plans to visit Ireland next month to attend the Irish Open golf tournament at his golf course in Doonbeg, County Clare, according to a White House official who spoke on condition of anonymity. The visit, scheduled for September 12 and 13, will also include an event with U.S. embassy workers and business officials before the tournament, the official said.

The trip is the most recent example of how the president's official travel can benefit his family business, a theme highlighted in multiple reports. Trump's sons have taken over day-to-day control of the Trump Organization, but the September trip underscores how presidential travel can serve the family's business interests, according to the Associated Press and other outlets. The Daily Beast described the visit as "folding his personal business into an official presidential trip."

The White House official confirmed the plan to the New York Post, which first reported the story. The Post's coverage emphasized the president's enthusiasm for the trip, quoting Trump from July calling the Doonbeg course "one of the best, most beautiful golf courses anywhere in the world" and noting his interest in watching Rory McIlroy, who is defending his title.

Trip Details and Schedule

Trump is scheduled to arrive in Dublin on Saturday, September 12, where he will be welcomed at Dublin Airport by a senior Irish government representative before being escorted via motorcade to Phoenix Park, according to the Irish Mirror. He is expected to meet the Irish leader at Farmleigh House, with photographers and press invited to capture the occasion. It remains unclear whether Trump will meet with Irish President Catherine Connolly, who has previously described him as "volatile" and "acting like a bully" regarding trade tariffs, the Irish Mirror reported. A spokesman for Connolly said "the president will consider any request she receives," per The Sunday Times, as cited by the Irish Mirror.

From Dublin, Trump will travel to County Clare for the Irish Open at Trump International Golf Links, where preparations have been ongoing for a year. Joe Russell, general manager of the resort, told the Irish Mirror that the golf course will close for three weeks before the tournament to allow the turf to prepare. "They're working with the DP World Tour guys for what, as we say, is going on inside the ropes," Russell said.

The New York Post provided additional details about the Doonbeg property, describing it as a five-star hotel and golf course spanning over 400 acres along a 1.5-mile beach, originally designed by Greg Norman. Trump's schedule may expand, as the White House official noted that more events could be added.

Security and Local Preparations

Irish authorities are preparing for what The Sunday Times described as a "monstrous" security operation, according to the Irish Mirror. Police are bracing for considerable public attention and potential protests during the visit. The Irish Mirror reported that security forces are set to implement enhanced protective measures surrounding Trump's movements and the tournament venue.

This follows the pattern of Trump's trip to Scotland last year, which drew criticism and protests. The Daily Beast reported that one estimate put the cost of that trip at $10 million for U.S. taxpayers, and that UK taxpayers also faced a "hefty tab" to facilitate the visit.

Business and Political Context

The Ireland trip comes immediately after the Republican Party's first-ever national convention ahead of the midterm elections, scheduled in Dallas on September 9 and 10. The Associated Press reported that the convention was Trump's idea.

Trump's golf properties have continued to feature prominently in his public schedule. His course in Bedminster, New Jersey, hosted a LIV golf tournament in August, and another course at Doral in South Florida is scheduled to host the Cadillac Championship, a PGA event, in March 2028, according to the AP. Trump has also spoken about his course in Turnberry, Scotland, hosting the British Open again, though the event last took place there in 2009, before Trump bought the resort, and a return faces major logistical hurdles.

Last summer, Trump spent five days in Scotland playing golf at Turnberry and inaugurating a new course in Balmedie, Aberdeenshire. The White House refused to call that trip a vacation, insisting it was a working trip during which Trump discussed trade with then-British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, the AP reported.

Trump is not known to take lengthy holidays, and in his 2004 book "Think Like a Billionaire," he wrote "Don't take vacations. What's the point?" The AP noted that last year's longest downtime was a December stay at his Mar-a-Lago club that extended past Christmas, featuring visits from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Local Reactions and Political Tensions

Irish President Catherine Connolly's past criticism of Trump has raised questions about whether a meeting will occur, with the Irish Mirror noting that Trump misgendered Connolly last year, saying "He's lucky I exist" in response to questions about her views. The Sunday Times, as cited by the Irish Mirror, reported that Connolly would meet Trump if asked.

Additionally, Trump's Doonbeg property is the site of a planned ballroom project that has faced opposition from planning protester Liam Madden, according to The Washington Post, as cited by The Daily Beast. The project has encountered "headwinds" similar to those faced by Trump's other construction efforts, the Daily Beast reported.

The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment about the trip from The Daily Beast.