A number of protests against the US President’s visit have been planned

DONALD Trump has made his way to Farmleigh House to visit Taoiseach Micheal Martin after a meeting with President Catherine Connolly.

The US President landed on Air Force One at Dublin Airport at around 8:20am and was greeted by Tanaiste Simon Harris on the tarmac there.

Trump disembarked the jet, was greeted by Irish and US dignitaries and swiftly stepped into a motorcade, including an armoured Garda car, which travelled to Phoenix Park.

After greeting Trump, Harris said he is “very much looking forward” to getting to Doonbeg. He said Trump was travelling with his son Donald Trump Jr, his daughter in law and some of his grandchildren, who have never been to Ireland before.

Harris said that Trump said he was looking forward to being in Ireland, was looking forward to the golf and had enjoyed the use of his new jet.

He attended at Áras an Uachtaráin for his meeting with Connolly for around 35 minutes and no video was allowed for their meeting.

Trump was greeted by Connolly. The pair shook hands in a cordial exchange. Trump then followed Connolly inside while his family waited outside.

After emerging again from the Aras the two presidents and the crowd stood at attention for the playing of the US and the Irish national anthems.

Trump then inspected the Irish Defence Forces’ guard of honour. He was led by Connolly to meet delegates in attendance, including Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly and the Defence Forces chief of staff, Lieutenant General Rossa Mulcahy.

Connolly was then introduced to Trump’s family members in attendance and other US delegates including the US Ambassador to Ireland.

The two delegations then exchanged pleasantries before the entire group went inside.

Among Connolly’s gifts to Trump was a book of poetry, featuring on key poem titled ‘Ceasefire’ – a reference to conflicts in the Middle East.

A number of VIP guests are invited to the US Ambassador’s residence in Phoenix Park later, where Trump is due to speak.

All eyes will be on how President Connolly handles the diplomatic affairs as she previously labelled Trump “a bully” and accused the US of funding Israel’s genocide in Palestine.

Before leaving the Aras Trump signed the visitor book saying: “A GREAT HONOR TO BE HERE THANK YOU”.

Trump and his family then travelled the short distance over to Farmleigh House to meet Taoiseach Micheal Martin and his wife.

The pair seemed relaxed and friendly in their meeting as their chatted and smiled at the entrance of the building.

The pair were expected to discuss the US war in the Middle East, Russia’s conflict in Ukraine and America’s trade tariffs on the EU.

The guest list at the US Ambassador’s residence, seen by the Irish Sun includes the Taoiseach and his wife Mary, Michael Flatley, Eddie Hobbs, Ken O’Flynn of Independent Ireland, executives from both Amazon and Google, Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary and former Taoisigh Bertie Aherne and Enda Kenny.

Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly has warned gardai are taking a “no tolerance” approach to anyone who tries to stop the US President’s movements in Ireland, with officers from the US, UK and Europe brought in to ensure Trump is safe.

Trump will cross the road to the US Ambassador’s Residence where he is expected to make a speech at an event attended by politicians, diplomats and business leaders.

After the visit to the Ambassador, he will fly to Shannon Airport before taking a helicopter to his Trump Doonbeg Hotel in Co Clare where the Irish Open golf tournament is currently being held.

He will present the trophy to the winner tomorrow.

Protests against Trump’s visit will be held in Dublin city centre, Shannon Airport ad in Doonbeg village.

Some 10,000 12-hour shifts will be worked by gardai over the weekend to cover Trump’s visit to Dublin and his golf course in Co Clare in a huge security dubbed ‘Operation Far Sunrise’ within the force.

Commissioner Kelly said the cost of the security operation for the Trump visit will be in line with previous visits by US Presidents, with Joe Biden’s Irish trip in 2023 costing the State more than €31million.

The gardai’s ring of steel will be run from control rooms set up in Dublin and Co Clare where senior officials will monitor any threats that may arise during the visit.

The Roads Division will shut down streets while the Close Protection Unit will flank the US President and his officials along with members of the Secret Service.

People travelling to Dublin Airport and Shannon Airport are warned there will be rolling road closures in place and extra time will be needed to get to the airports.

The Public Order Unit will be deployed to monitor protests with four water cannons on standby, including two borrowed from the PSNI in the North.

Commissioner Kelly said that garda intelligence units have been monitoring potential ‘bad actors’ as he warned that no one will be allowed to stand in Trump’s way.