US President Donald Trump may visit Ireland in September, US Ambassador to Ireland Edward Walsh said on Thursday.
"We do have a potential presidential visit at the Irish Open in September," Walsh told an American Chamber of Commerce Ireland event in Dublin.
The 2026 Amgen Irish Open will be held at Trump International Golf Links Ireland in Doonbeg, Co Clare, from September 10–13.
In February 2014, Trump announced that he had purchased the Doonbeg Golf Resort, which became Trump International Golf Links & Hotel, Ireland. The Irish resort is now operated by TIGL Ireland Enterprises LTD, which is owned by the Donald J Trump Revocable Trust, of which President Trump is the sole beneficiary.
Trump visited Doonbeg in an official capacity in June 2019, his only Irish visit as President, and he most recently visited in a personal capacity in 2023. He has not been back since he was re-elected to the White House in November 2024.
In September, upon the announcement that Doonbeg will be hosting the 2026 Irish Open, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said that "there's no question that President Trump would be welcome to Ireland in terms of the underpinning of that US-Ireland relationship."
Ambassador Walsh, the New Jersey businessman who was appointed by Trump last year, similarly teased a presidential visit to Ireland back in January in a statement to Extra.ie.
"I had the opportunity to see President Trump on Thursday evening aboard Air Force One during a refuel stop at Shannon Airport," the Ambassador told the Irish publication.
"I also talked with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and other members of the president’s team. We discussed the enduring strength of the Irish relationship and continued cooperation on matters of mutual importance.
"The president spoke warmly about his affection for Ireland and its people. We also discussed the possibility of a presidential visit to Ireland later this year."
Walsh added: "Ireland holds a special place in the hearts of many Americans, and those I met with on board expressed great enthusiasm about returning.
"A visit by President Trump to Ireland would represent a valuable opportunity to further deepen the strong bonds between our two nations."
July 4, 2024: US Ambassador to Ireland Edward Walsh speaking at the US Embassy in Dublin.
The Ambassador's comments on Thursday come not long before Taoiseach Micheál Martin is due to visit Washington, DC, as part of the annual Ireland-US St. Patrick's Day engagements.
As in recent years, the Taoiseach is facing calls to boycott the visit, primarily due to the US response in Gaza. While a number of Irish political parties have confirmed they will not be attending St. Patrick's Day events at the White House, the Taoiseach, who is also the leader of Fianna Fáil, is set to go.
On Thursday, speaking about the St. Patrick's Day events in the US, Ambassador Walsh said that the "week itself is great."
He added: "The Taoiseach did a great job last year. We have a lot of positive things to say this year, and I think it is going to be really great.”
During last year's meeting between the Taoiseach and the President in the Oval Office, upon mention of Doonbeg, Trump said: "We love Doonbeg. I love them. I don't know if I'll ever see it again. Maybe I won't."
The Taoiseach responded: "We would like you to come back and see it."
Trump replied: "I think I will. We'll get there. We're going to get there. It's a beautiful place, wonderful place."
Later, when asked by a reporter if he'll visit Doonbeg, Trump said: "I will. I'll get there sometime. I hope soon. In fact, if we meet, we'll meet at Doonbeg, okay?"
Later, during the shamrock ceremony, the Taoiseach told the President: "I hope that we can welcome you to Ireland soon."
Taoiseach Micheal Martin and President Donald Trump in the Oval Office of the White House as part of St. Patrick's Day engagements. (RollingNews.ie)
Meanwhile, the President's son Eric Trump, the executive vice president of the Trump Organization and head of Trump Golf, told the Irish Independent last month that he thinks his father will attend the Irish Open.
“I think he’s gonna be here," Eric said, speaking in Doonbeg. "He really wants to be here — and I know Rory [McIlroy] definitely wants him here.”
He added: “Ticket sales are 30% 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.”
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