Taoiseach would welcome Trump meeting amid Doonbeg Irish Open link
James Cox
The Taoiseach has said he would welcome a meeting with Donald Trump if the US president attends the Irish Open next year.
It comes as the Irish Daily Mail reported Mr Trump's Doonbeg Golf Club in Co Clare is set to be confirmed as the host venue of next year's tournament.
The chosen course is due to be officially announced today.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin said it could be a good opportunity for talks.
"Doonbeg is a fantastic course, it's a very high quality course. We look forward to a successful [Irish] Open and if Amgen [tournament sponsor] make that decision and we do everything we can to support sport... particularly major events like that which bring a significant profile to Ireland."
He said he had extended an "open invitation" to Mr Trump during their White House meeting to mark St Patrick's Day.
"There's an open invitation [to Mr Trump], we said that last March to the president, and that would be a matter for the president's own scheduling."
Tourism Minister Peter Burke also said a visit from the US president would be welcome.
"That's in the early stages... obviously I know the report, I haven't heard anything formally in relation to that. I think it's very important that we have very strong relations with the president of America. He's their democratically elected president, it's very important for our country that our ties [with the US] are increased."
Cabinet were informed of the decision for Doonbeg to host the next Irish Open this morning, the Mail reported added.
Mr Trump stayed at Doonbeg during his first term as president. He also visited his Co Clare resort in 2023 before his successful 2024 election campaign which saw him return to the White House.
