Trump begins two-day Ireland visit, set to meet President Connolly

US President Donald Trump touched down at Dublin airport today, beginning a two-day visit to Ireland. He was greeted on arrival by Ireland's deputy prime minister, Simon Harris. Trump traveled on the aircraft gifted by Qatar's royal family, valued at around $400m and converted for presidential use, though questions remain about how well it can protect the president from potential threats.

After landing, Trump traveled to the presidential residence, Áras an Uachtaráin, where he was received by Irish President Catherine Connolly. Connolly, who has previously been a vocal critic of Trump, led him through the Francini corridor to the state reception room, where she invited him to sign the visitors' book, before continuing to the drawing room, where he was introduced to various dignitaries. The relationship between the two has been described as fraught, partly because Trump previously and mistakenly referred to Connolly as a man, and many in Ireland were watching to see whether she would use the meeting to criticize his policies on immigration and the Middle East, while others hoped she would hold back to avoid straining Ireland's economic relationship with the US.

Following the meeting with the president, Trump is scheduled to meet Ireland's taoiseach, Micheál Martin, with whom he reportedly has warmer relations. The visit continues with a stop at the US ambassador's residence in Deerfield, where Trump will speak with American and Irish business leaders. In the evening, he heads to his golf resort in Doonbeg, where he will stay overnight before playing more golf on Sunday ahead of his return to Washington.

The visit coincides with the Irish Open golf tournament, held at the beachfront Doonbeg course owned by Trump. Some Dublin residents have expressed frustration over disruption caused by the visit, with one taxi driver noting that the president is in Ireland to play golf while the world faces turmoil.