1. US President Trump says he would ‘love to see’ Ireland ‘unified’
Earlier today, US President Donald Trump’s comments on a united Ireland were met with reaction across Ireland and the UK.
Speaking at a news conference with Taoiseach Micheál Martin at Farmleigh House, Mr Trump said he would “love” to see a united Ireland.
“I’d love to see it unified. I have friends on both sides,” he said.
Reaction was varied.
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald said: “I acknowledge President Trump’s comments”, adding the “onus is on the Taoiseach to begin planning”.
While DUP leader Gavin Robinson said Northern Ireland’s constitutional future “will be decided by the people of Northern Ireland, not by commentary in London, Dublin or Washington”.
2. President Trump doubles down on Irish unity comments
Later, President Trump doubled down on his comments on a united Ireland.
In a speech to those gathered at the US Ambassador’s residence, Mr Trump said a united Ireland would “be pretty cool”.
Mr Trump said being asked about reunification is “one of those questions where no matter what you say, no matter how well you say it , there is no good answer”.
3. President of the United States meets the President of Ireland
President Catherine Connolly greeted Donald Trump on the steps of Áras an Uachtaráin.
They met for more than 20 minutes as part of a courtesy call.
In a statement following the meeting, President Connolly said she conveyed to the US president the strong view of the Irish people that the normalisation of war and genocide can never be accepted.
President Connolly gifted President Trump a St Brigid’s Cross, a copy of the book ‘Navigatio Sancti Brendani – The Voyage of St Brendan’, and the collected poems of Michael Longley, including his sonnet ‘Ceasefire’.
4. Demonstrations held in protest against Donald Trump
The US president’s visit to Ireland was met with protests in Dublin, Doonbeg and Shannon Airport.
Thousands of protesters gathered in the capital and criticised the welcome he was given by the Government.
Similar protests took place in Doonbeg and Shannon Airport in Co Clare where the US president is staying for the Irish Open.
Up to 100 protestors gathered in a designated area off the main road leading to the airport.
They shouted chants such as “free Palestine” and “US military out of Shannon”.
5. The US president takes in the Irish Open in Doonbeg
The US president finally arrived in Co Clare this afternoon to take in the golf at his hotel in Doonbeg.
He travelled to Doonbeg aboard Air Force One which flew over the village before landing in Shannon Airport.
The Marine One helicopter, which took the US president to the tournament, circled the golf course before landing.
President Trump then finally got to take in some of the Irish Open, alongside his son, Eric.
Bonus: Why Trump’s speech in Dublin was for a US audience
Washington Correspondent Jackie Fox explains why President Trump’s speech in Dublin was aimed at a US audience.