Donald Trump 'really wants' to attend 2026 Irish Open, son Eric says
James Cox
US president Donald Trump "really wants" to attend the 2026 Irish Open at his golf club in Doonbeg, Co Clare, according to his son Eric.
In an interview with the Irish Independent, Eric Trump also said it is his dream to build a Trump Tower in Dublin.
In the wide-ranging interview, Mr Trump, 42, said he has played a big role in designing the course for the event.
The president's son works primarily in the family business, the Trump Organisation.
He also referred to the family's friendship with golfer Rory McIlroy.
“I think he’s gonna be here. He really wants to be here — and I know Rory [McIlroy] definitely wants him here," Mr Trump said.
“Ticket sales are 30 per cent above where they’ve ever been before for the Irish Open at the same time, and corporate hospitality is already totally sold out. You’re going to see some of the true great stars come to this event. Most of these guys are our friends and they love us — and there’s been tremendous cachet associated with it. So it is going to be a lot of fun.
“The course is going to be perfect. The property is going to be perfect. The hospitality is going to be perfect. We’re going to put on a good show.”
Amid tensions between the US and EU over the president's threats to take Greenland, his son echoed his fathers criticisms of Europe.
“Where do all the Russian subs come from? Pretty much off the coast of Greenland, and then they come down south, right? We need early detection of Russian subs. Wouldn’t it be nice to be able to know where these guys are? Wouldn’t it be nice to know if Russian submarines are off of the coast of Ireland? It’s clearly nice to know where this stuff is. And Greenland plays a big part in all of this.”
He also criticised "woke" European leaders.
Eric Trump was also very critical of the slow planning process in Ireland, adding his family would have invested a lot more in Ireland and Scotland if it were not for planning delays.
An environmental group, which challenged the original plans to create a golf course at Doonbeg in west Clare over 25 years ago, is currently disputing plans for a new ballroom at Doonbeg over a rare species of snail.
The Friends of the Irish Environment claims the “terminal decline” of the protected snail species, Vertigo angustior, threatens the plans for the proposed ballroom.
