U.S. EDITIONTHEWEEKLYOBSERVER.COM

HOME  /  WORLD  /  DUBLIN

WORLD · IRELAND

Trump Touches Down in Dublin, Trades Iran War Talk for a Weekend at His Own Golf Course

The president is set to meet Ireland's president and taoiseach before heading to his oceanfront Doonbeg resort, where he's expected to hand out the trophy at the Irish Open.

ON

BY OBSERVER NEWSDESK

The Weekly Observer

SEP 12, 2026 · 2 MIN READ
fXinEMAIL
Trump Touches Down in Dublin, Trades Iran War Talk for a Weekend at His Own Golf Course
Dublin, Ireland. (Alexandra Mitache/Unsplash; file photo)

President Trump arrived in Dublin on Saturday for a whirlwind Irish visit that mixes diplomacy with business — and a personal stake in this weekend's Irish Open golf tournament, which is being played at a course he owns.

The president is scheduled for separate meetings with Irish President Catherine Connolly and Taoiseach Micheál Martin, according to CBS News. The talks are not part of an official state visit.

Trump also plans to address U.S. and Irish business leaders at the American ambassador's residence in Dublin before traveling across the country to his oceanfront golf club in Doonbeg, County Clare — home to this weekend's Irish Open. The Trump Organization took control of the Doonbeg course in 2014, and the president is expected to help present the trophy to the tournament's winner on Sunday.

Iran War Looms Over the Trip

The visit comes just after the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks and this week's Republican convention, and follows weeks of an escalating U.S. war with Iran that has rattled oil markets and Irish officials alike. The Washington Post reports the Dublin talks could still touch on politically sensitive topics, including trade and Irish leaders' concerns over the widening conflict.

A DETOUR FROM THE WAR ROOM TO THE GOLF COURSE

Trump's trip lands in the middle of an eventful few days at Doonbeg: Irish favorite Shane Lowry fired a course-record 62 there on Friday to seize the tournament lead, setting up a dramatic final round with the president expected in the gallery.

Trump has visited Ireland and his Doonbeg property several times since acquiring it, often pairing official business with rounds of golf. This trip is no different — though this time it arrives against the backdrop of a live shooting war in the Middle East that continues to dominate his administration's agenda back home.

No further public schedule details for Sunday, including whether Trump will play a round himself, have been released by the White House.

SHARE THIS STORY