US President Donald Trump has landed at Dublin Airport to begin a two-day visit to Ireland.
The visit includes talks with Irish President Catherine Connolly and Taoiseach Micheál Martin, amid what has been described as one of the largest security operations ever mounted by the Irish police service.
Mr Trump is scheduled to attend events in Dublin and at his Doonbeg golf resort in Co Clare, which is hosting the Irish Open. However, the US president’s visit has prompted opposition among some local residents, with protests planned.
As Air Force One arrived in Ireland early on Saturday, dozens of police officers and security personnel could be seen taking up positions ahead of the president leaving the aircraft and joining a waiting motorcade.
Irish premier Micheál Martin said he was looking forward to welcoming Mr Trump and to ‘discussing the many issues of mutual interest and reaffirming the strong economic, cultural and people-to-people ties between Ireland and the United States’.
‘His visit comes during a remarkable sporting summer for Ireland and the United States, and this weekend’s Irish Open at Trump International Doonbeg will be a fitting conclusion to an outstanding season of sport. I hope we will see an Irish winner lifting the trophy on Sunday,’ he added.
Mr Trump is also due to meet President Catherine Connolly, a longstanding critic of the US leader, at her official residence, Áras an Uachtaráin, in Dublin’s Phoenix Park. He will then attend a nearby engagement with Mr Martin at the Farmleigh Estate.
Former Irish premiers Bertie Ahern and Enda Kenny were among hundreds of guests arriving at the Dublin residence of US ambassador to Ireland Edward Walsh before Mr Trump’s arrival.
Leading business figures, including Ryanair chief Michael O’Leary, and entertainer Michael Flatley were also expected to attend. Mr Trump is set to deliver a speech in a marquee erected on the grounds of the historic Deerfield property in Phoenix Park, which has been decorated with American flags.
Air Force One lands at Dublin Airport as US President Donald Trump begins his visit to Ireland
A police motorcade is seen at Dublin Airport as the country prepares to welcome the US President for a two-day visit
Security and cars at Dublin Airport ahead of the arrival of US President Donald Trump on Air Force One
Sound checks have included the playing of some of Mr Trump’s favourite songs, including the Village People’s YMCA, and his traditional walk-out song God Bless The USA by Lee Greenwood.
He will also attend a series of events at Deerfield, the residence of the US Ambassador to Ireland.
A number of protests against Mr Trump’s visit have been planned.
Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly said peaceful protest would be facilitated as much as possible, but there will be ‘no tolerance’ for public disorder or attempts to impact ‘critical movements’ of the US president.
‘We have robust policing plans in place and will arrest and prosecute those committing offences,’ he said, adding that water cannon will be ‘on standby’ but said he hoped they would not be needed.
The visit is being hotly opposed by some Dubliners, and a massive security operation is underway.
Police put up a cordon around Dublin’s Phoenix Park, where he’ll meet Mr Martin, the taoiseach, at the government’s Farmleigh state guesthouse.
But residents expressed annoyance over the disruption.
‘He’s causing mayhem in this city because he wants to go down to Doonbeg and play golf,’ said taxi driver Christopher Fox, emphatically not a fan of Mr Trump. ‘The world’s in turmoil and this fella’s down playing golf.’
University student Mina Petrovski said Mr Trump’s ‘attitudes towards women, towards immigrants, towards minority communities in general are abhorrent.’ She said it’s ‘shameful that the Irish government is welcoming him with open arms.’
The trip comes after Mr Martin invited Mr Trump to visit Ireland when they met at the White House on St. Patrick’s Day this year.
Ireland’s political leaders will see the visit as a chance to maintain warm trans-Atlantic relations despite differences over trade and foreign policy, issues the White House said Mr Trump wants to discuss.
This is a breaking news story and is being updated.