Dublin is bracing for a high-stakes visit from US President Donald Trump, who lands in the Irish capital on Saturday for a packed 48-hour programme that blends diplomacy, golf, and potential friction over the Middle East.
Trump is scheduled to hold a bilateral meeting with Taoiseach Micheál Martin at Government Buildings, expected to last around an hour. The agenda, according to government sources, will cover EU-US trade relations, support for Ukraine, the conflict in Iran, and the ongoing situation in Gaza. The Irish side is also bracing for pressure to purchase US liquefied natural gas (LNG) as part of broader trade discussions, particularly as energy prices remain volatile due to the Iran war.
The visit coincides with the Irish Open golf tournament, which is being held at Trump International Golf Links and Hotel Doonbeg in County Clare. Trump will spend most of his time at the resort, where top players including Rory McIlroy are competing. He is expected to present the trophy to the winner on Sunday evening.
But it is the earlier part of the programme that has government circles nervous: a courtesy call at Áras an Uachtaráin, the official residence of Irish President Catherine Connolly, in Phoenix Park. Connolly, a former left-wing firebrand and long-time anti-war activist, was highly critical of Trump during his first term, once describing him as a "bully and a misogynist."
Her personal stakes are high. Her sister, Dr. Margaret Connolly, was detained by Israeli forces in May 2026 after they intercepted a Gaza-bound aid boat. Taoiseach Martin condemned the interception as "unacceptable," and President Connolly said she found the situation "quite upsetting."
During her presidential campaign, Connolly said she would fulfil her largely ceremonial duties and "meet and greet" Trump if required. But her supporters hope she will use the opportunity to speak frankly. US comedian Rosie O'Donnell, who moved to Ireland after Trump's re-election, told the Irish Independent: "She should speak truth to power. I don’t think she should drop what she believes in to be polite to a madman. He is like a mad king that has destroyed the country."
O'Donnell is leading a protest on Dublin's O'Connell Street at 1300 GMT, with demonstrators expected to voice opposition to Trump's policies, particularly his stance on Gaza. Ireland was one of twelve countries that issued a statement backing sanctions on Israeli settlements in the West Bank, and Dublin had braced for a backlash from Washington. So far, the White House has remained silent.
The economic stakes are significant. The US is Ireland's largest trading partner outside the EU, and many US multinationals have their European headquarters in Dublin. Taoiseach Martin acknowledged the importance of the relationship, telling reporters: "The relationship between Ireland and the United States is very important economically. It’s very, very significant both ways."
Government sources have described the expected meeting as a "St. Patrick's Day style" encounter — a convivial, wide-ranging discussion rather than a formal negotiation. But with Trump's unpredictable style and Connolly's history of outspokenness, the visit could produce unexpected moments.
The visit also comes amid broader transatlantic tensions over trade and energy. The EU has been navigating a delicate path between maintaining unity and responding to US tariffs and trade demands. As energy costs continue to squeeze European households, any deal on LNG could have wider implications for the continent's energy security.
For now, Dublin is preparing for a weekend of diplomatic tightrope-walking, with the world watching to see how Ireland balances its economic ties with the US and its principled stance on human rights.
