Key updatesTrump visit explainer: Traffic restrictions for Dublin Airport, Shannon Airport, M50, Phoenix Park and what to know about protestsEric Trump hails ‘family friend’ Rory McIlroy as he arrives in Doonbeg for Irish Open ahead of his fatherKeeping it in the family: Everything you need to know about Trump’s wives, children, siblings and parentsTaoiseach braced for high-stakes Oval Office-style encounter with Donald Trump 18 minutes agoGareth O’Connor
President Donald Trump is meeting President Catherine Connolly
The two leaders shook hands and exchanged a few words before going inside for their brief meeting, which will take place away from video cameras.
Maeve McTaggartGetty Images 8 minutes agoSeoirse Mulgrew
President Connolly and Donald Trump escorted to the state drawing room for a courtesy call
Mr Trump has inspected the guard of honour outside Áras an Uachtaráin.
Both the US and Irish national anthems were played as he stood at the base of the red carpet with his hand in a salute.
Ms Connolly stood on the doorstep of the Áras as he did so. She introduced him to the Irish delegation before greeting the US delegation and members of Mr Trump’s family.
Both Mr Trump and Ms Connolly have now re-entered the Áras.
Maeve McTaggart 10 minutes agoGareth O’Connor
US President Donald Trump gestures as he arrived to meet President Connolly
James Manning/PA wire 13 minutes agoGareth O’Connor
Michael Flatley has welcomed Donald Trump’s arrival to Ireland
The Riverdance star described it as a “fantastic day” for Ireland. Mr. Flatley said he hoped they would “make progress” with Irish-American relations and said today would be a “great celebration”. He also described President Trump as a “gentleman”.
Kevin Doyle
16 minutes agoGareth O’Connor
Pictured: President Connolly greets Donald Trump with a handshake
REUTERS/Kylie Cooper 20 minutes agoSeoirse Mulgrew
President Connolly to gift Trump a collection of poems, including one titled ‘Ceasefire’
President Catherine Connolly is expected to gift President Trump a collection of poems by the late Michael Longley.
In a somewhat pointed note given to journalists at the Áras, it reads: “His sonnet Ceasefire, drawing on Homer, has become one of the defining Irish poems about what it is to forgive.”
Cónal Thomas 21 minutes agoGareth O’Connor
President Catherine Connolly greets US President Donald Trump at Áras an Uachtaráin
President Connolly has greeted Donald Trump on the steps of the Áras with a handshake in the past few minutes.
Gareth O’Connor 25 minutes agoGareth O’Connor
President Catherine Connolly will meet Mr Trump in the next few minutes.
It is considered a major diplomatic test for Ms Connolly, who made her views on Mr Trump and his policies well-known during her time in the Dáil. Her supporters, including the parties who backed her presidential candidacy, have said they hope Ms Connolly will raise her concerns in their meeting. Maeve McTaggart
26 minutes agoGareth O’Connor
US President Donald Trump’s motorcade as it made its way through Dublin
REUTERS/Kylie Cooper 29 minutes agoGareth O’Connor
President Connolly pictured as she waits for the arrival of US President Donald Trump
James Manning/PA wire 34 minutes agoGareth O’Connor
Members of Donald Trump’s family have also arrived for today’s visit.
Donald Trump Jr., his partner Bettina Anderson, Donald Trump III and Spencer Frederick Trump disembark Air Force One as they arrive at Dublin Airport, accompanying US President Donald Trump for his two-day visit.
Gareth O’ConnorREUTERS/Kylie Cooper 35 minutes agoSeoirse Mulgrew
Trump visit explainer: Traffic restrictions for Dublin Airport, Shannon Airport, M50, Phoenix Park and what to know about protests
Donald Trump will arrive in Dublin on Saturday morning to pay a “courtesy visit” to Taoiseach Micheál Martin and President Catherine Connolly ahead of attending the Irish Open in Clare.
The security operation around the event which gardaí have described as “one of the biggest security and policing operations” ever carried out by the force.
Mr Trump will be in Ireland on September 12 and 13 during which time he will meet President Catherine Connolly at Áras an Uachtaráin in the Phoenix Park before a nearby engagement with Taoiseach Micheál Martin at the Farmleigh Estate.
After formalities conclude with the President and Taoiseach, Mr Trump will make way to his golf resort in Doonbeg, Co Clare, which will be hosting the Irish Open.
Here is a list of the primary restrictions in place for the duration of the two-day visit:
Keith Kelly and Azmia RiazTrump visit explainer: Traffic restrictions for Dublin Airport, Shannon Airport, M50, Phoenix Park and what to know about protestsA number of restrictions will be in place across Dublin Airport, the M50, Phoenix Park, Shannon Airport and Doonbegwww.independent.ie 38 minutes agoGareth O’Connor
One of the biggest security operations in the history of the state
Thousands of gardaí and military personnel are on duty for today’s security operation to protect Donald Trump. The operation includes armed response and public order units, air support and dog units. Military support to the garda operation is being provided by the Defence Forces. Anti-drone technology has also been deployed to protect the US President.
Gareth O’ConnorClodagh Kilcoyne/PA Wire 41 minutes agoSeoirse Mulgrew
‘He said he was very pleased to be here in Ireland’
Tánaiste Simon Harris said Mr Trump is “very much” looking forward to his visit to Doonbeg.
Mr Harris discussed his previous conversation as Taoiseach with Mr Trump when they spoke after the 2024 presidential election.
“He said he was very pleased to be here in Ireland,” he told reporters on the tarmac on Dublin Airport.
Mr Trump also discussed his “relatively new” Air Force One, how he is looking forward to the golf, and told Mr Harris that it was his grandchildren’s first visit to Ireland.
Maeve McTaggart 46 minutes agoSeoirse Mulgrew
Officials prepare Farmleigh House for Trump’s arrival later this morning
Our political correspondent Cónal Thomas is at Farmleigh House where Taoiseach Micheál Martin is due to hold a bilateral meeting with President Trump at around 10am.
The Guard of Honour has been practising since the early morning with officials literally rolling out the red carpet under the portico.
The drummer has struck up, two alpacas across the lawn pay no notice. Fair play lads.
Cónal ThomasLoad moreTickarooLive Blog Software