Key updatesBREAKING: Gerry Adams says Trump’s support for Irish reunification is ‘welcome’Eilis O’Hanlon: Nobody saw these united Ireland remarks coming — probably not even Trump himselfThree women charged after being arrested at Donald Trump’s Doonbeg golf course‘Not accidental’: Donald Trump raised his views on Irish unity in private with leaders before controversial commentsYour government has failed you, Eric Trump tells Irish people, over energy prices after US war in Iran 9 minutes agoDenise Calnan
BREAKING: Gerry Adams says Trump’s support for Irish reunification is ‘welcome’
The former Sinn Féin leader urged Government to establish a Citizens’ Assembly to examine constitutional change and future all‑Ireland structures
US president Donald Trump’s remarks in support of Irish unity reflect the “broad north American sentiment”, former Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams has said.
Mr Adams welcomed Mr Trump’s remarks but stated that Taoiseach Micheál Martin had “put himself outside this positive attitude” towards holding a border poll.
The US president is currently on a two-day visit to Ireland.
On Saturday, during a meeting with Mr Martin and in response to a question from the Press Association, Mr Trump claimed Irish reunification was inevitable, adding it “may as well happen now”.
He said: “I think it would be a fantastic thing.
During a subsequent engagement at the US ambassador’s residence, Mr Trump did not back away from his earlier answer, stating Irish unification would be “a very cool thing”.
Mr Adams, who was the Sinn Féin leader when the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement was signed in 1998, delivered a speech in Dublin on Sunday reflecting on the peace deal.
Under the terms of the agreement, the UK’s Northern Ireland secretary can decide to hold a border poll, and has a duty to call one if it appears likely a majority would vote for Irish unification.
And change to the Constitution would also need to be backed by voters in the Republic.
Mr Adams said Sinn Féin had disagreed with US administrations since 1998 on a number of issues “particularly the Middle East and other conflicts”.
He added: “Yesterday’s remarks by President Trump on the issue of Irish unity are welcome, even though we profoundly differ with him on many other matters, as we did with his predecessors.
“They reflect the broad north American sentiment towards Irish unity and particularly the Irish diaspora towards Irish reunification.
“And this is increasingly reflected in mainstream dialogue.
“Micheál Martin has put himself outside this positive attitude to Irish unity in Ireland and the diaspora.
“He needs to correct this and play a leading part in this process.”
Mr Adams said no government here has ever “produced a strategy” to give effect to Irish unity.
He said: “The absence of Irish government planning, almost 30 years after the agreement, is indefensible and incredibly short-sighted.
“There is no excuse for this.
“What is needed is the full implementation of the Good Friday Agreement, including setting a date and planning for the referendum on the future.
“This requires inclusive discussions about the future to ensure that not only do citizens take informed decisions but that the new Ireland which emerges when the union ends is one in which everyone is valued and social and economic rights are upheld.
“The Irish government should establish a Citizen’s Assembly or series of such assemblies to discuss the process of constitutional change and the measures needed to build an all-Ireland economy, a truly national health service and education system and much more.”
Jonathan McCambridge, Press AssociationGerry Adams says Trump’s support for Irish reunification is ‘welcome’The former Sinn Féin leader urged Government to establish a Citizens’ Assembly to examine constitutional change and future all‑Ireland structureswww.independent.ie 29 minutes agoDenise Calnan
WATCH: Protests continue in Doonbeg over the visit of US President Donald Trump
Agnoplay Videohttps://player.agnoplay.com/embed/independent?videoId=r7ZJK5EZqKwCagnoplay.comExternal contentWhen displaying external content, data is transferred to third parties.Today 11:42 AM
‘I despair at any sort of religious idea that justifies Trump’ – Methodist priest travels to Doonbeg to stand against Trump
Protesters are gaining numbers in Doonbeg, where President Donald Trump landed yesterday afternoon to take in the Amgen Irish Open at the Trump International Golf Links.
One protester in particular, Reverend Steven Foster, held a sign stating, ‘Faith Over Fear – Trump Get Out Of Here’.
“Well, everything about Trump is the complete opposite of what I stand for as a follower of Jesus Christ,” he told the Irish Independent.
“He has enacted policies around destroying an aid program that has resulted in the deaths of hundreds of thousands of children worldwide. He is actively supporting a genocide in Gaza, and the destruction of Palestinian lands.
“[His] war-mongering and casual attitudes that result in the loss of life and the destruction of people’s lives… His hate and his division [not just in] his own country but worldwide and online.
“His influence is just utterly awful and against everything that I just simply stand for as a follower of Jesus. So, I feel compelled to be here and compelled to say that we should not in any way tolerate this man just because he wears a suit and is powerful.
“He’s a filthy old man that should not be given any attention.”
Speaking about those who follow Trump and tie his ideals in with godliness and holiness, the Methodist Priest said: “I despair at any sort of religious idea that justifies Trump and what he stands for, because those contexts are about power, about control…
“Trump knows at times how to use certain language to get certain people or groups, whether it be evangelicals in the States or whoever, on his side. But I think it’s incredible because this guy stands against everything that is at the centre of what Jesus Christ was about and what Jesus taught.
“As a follower of Jesus, I seek to live in terms of recognising the dignity and worth of every person.”
Protesters continue to gather in Doonbeg and will gather in Shannon from 2pm to further protest Trump’s presence in County Clare.
Molly Cantwell and Erika SassoneToday 11:05 AMDenise Calnan
Brendan O’Connor: Taoiseach’s wife Mary proves the secret weapon as Trump launches a lovebombing campaign
By normal standards, it was probably all pretty crazy. But the bar for “crazy” has been raised to such unsustainable levels now that it was all disappointingly normal. You’d nearly even say it was nice, Brendan O’Connor writes.
Read the full piece here: Brendan O’Connor: Taoiseach’s wife Mary proves the secret weapon as Trump launches a lovebombing campaignBy normal standards, it was probably all pretty crazy. But the bar for “crazy” has been raised to such unsustainable levels now that it was all disappointingly normal. You’d nearly even say it was nice.www.independent.ieToday 10:30 AMDenise Calnan
WATCH: Donald Trump receives a hero’s reception at hotel in his golf resort
Agnoplay Videohttps://player.agnoplay.com/embed/independent?videoId=xrRBoPWLzLUiagnoplay.comExternal contentWhen displaying external content, data is transferred to third parties.Today 10:10 AMDenise CalnanA member of the public take a picture of the winners boards, featuring Shane Lowry of Ireland, on the way into the course during day four of the Amgen Irish Open Golf Championship 2026 at Trump International Golf Links in Doonbeg, Clare . Ramsey Cardy/SportsfileToday 09:52 AM
Small crowd kicks off second day of protests in Doonbeg
A small crowd has kicked off the second day of protests in Doonbeg.
The roads are quiet this morning after reports of crowds descending from the golf course for Saturday night in the village.
Reports from the village say that revellers enjoyed the local hospitality until the early hours of this morning.
Protests are expected to continue throughout the day as President Trump continues his stay at the Trump International Golf Course until later this evening.
Erika Sassone and Molly Cantwell Today 09:49 AMDenise Calnan
Mary Regan: Entertainment, political game playing or shooting from the hip? Donald Trump wades into the United Ireland debate
Everyone wondered if President Catherine Connolly would put the cat among the pigeons during the visit of Donald Trump, Mary Regan writes
But no one expected it might come by way of her short, sharp history lesson to the US President that might have stirred his interest in Irish unity.
During a twenty-minute chat over her tea with Mr Trump, President Connolly, the topic of Northern Ireland took up a lot of attention.
Read the full piece here: Entertainment, political game playing or shooting from the hip? Donald Trump wades into the United Ireland debateEveryone wondered if President Catherine Connolly would put the cat among the pigeons during the visit of Donald Trump.www.independent.ieToday 09:37 AMDenise Calnan
WATCH: Protesters gathered in Shannon yesterday against Trump’s visit to Ireland
Protesters are due to start gathering again this morning in Doonbeg. The official start time was 7am, but it was understood protesters were hoping people would arrive by 10.30am.
Agnoplay Videohttps://player.agnoplay.com/embed/independent?videoId=d6JAsdgajfwgagnoplay.comExternal contentWhen displaying external content, data is transferred to third parties.Today 09:25 AMDenise Calnan
WATCH: When Trump touched down in Doonbeg yesterday
Today 09:24 AMDenise Calnan
Conor McKeon: Chinooks, Air Force One and Secret Service agents turn quiet west Clare day into a surreal security spectacle
It’s one of those events that transcends the News and Sports departments of the newsroom, so here we’re featuring Irish Independent Senior Sports Correspondent Conor McKeown’s piece on “the maddest sporting event of the year”. It’s a good read.
See the full article here: Conor McKeon: Chinooks, Air Force One and Secret Service agents turn quiet west Clare day into a surreal security spectacleMayo won the All-Ireland and Katie Taylor headlined a sold-out Croke Park, but this is clearly the maddest sporting event of the yearwww.independent.ieToday 09:03 AMDenise Calnan
In Pictures: Koepka and Trump
Brooks Koepka of United States speaks to U.S. President Donald Trump during day three of the Amgen Irish Open Golf Championship 2026 at Trump International Golf Links in Doonbeg, Clare.Brendan Moran/SportsfileBrendan Moran/SportsfileToday 08:52 AMDenise Calnan
WATCH: Indo Politics: A Nation Once Again – Donald Trump comes to town and reignites the old debate
Eilis O’Hanlon: Nobody saw these united Ireland remarks coming — probably not even Trump himself
If you believe the giddy headlines, US president Trump has gone full Sinn Féin and is now calling for a united Ireland, Eilis O’Hanlon writes
Read the full piece here: Eilis O’Hanlon: Nobody saw these united Ireland remarks coming — probably not even Trump himselfIf you believe the giddy headlines, US president Trump has gone full Sinn Féin and is now calling for a united Ireland.www.independent.ieToday 08:18 AM
Recap: How Trump’s comments on Irish unity made political waves
US President Donald Trump continues his visit to Ireland on Sunday after stirring up a diplomatic row hours into the trip by backing Irish unification
US President Donald Trump continues his visit to Ireland on Sunday after stirring up a diplomatic row hours into the trip by backing Irish unification.
Mr Trump starts the day at his golf resort in the southwest of the country as it hosts players including Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry for the Amgen Irish Open.
It is anticipated that he will hand over the winner’s trophy at the Trump International golf resort in Doonbeg, Co Clare – before flying back to the US at the end of a two-day itinerary.
A major security operation is under way for the visit, with An Garda Síochána liaising with the Defence Forces and US Secret Service in the area around the resort.
Mr Trump’s presence sparked protests in Dublin and Clare – but Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly said there would be “no tolerance” for public disorder or attempts to impact “critical movements” of the US president.
He arrived into Ireland on his new Qatar gift Air Force One on Saturday morning, where he met the country’s Tánaiste Simon Harris at Dublin Airport.
The US commander-in-chief then met President Catherine Connolly, one of his long-standing critics, at her official residence Áras an Uachtaráin in Dublin’s Phoenix Park.
However, it was his next meeting with Taoiseach Micheál Martin that caused the biggest stir – as Mr Trump weighed in on the constitutional question by claiming Irish unification was inevitable.
Answering a question from the Press Association, the 47th president said he “would love to see” Ireland unified, adding: “It’s going to happen eventually.”
This prompted a a stern rebuke from the Conservatives in the UK while Downing Street pointed to Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s rejection of an immediate border poll earlier in the week.
His comments could further strain relations between the US and the UK, with Mr Trump also casting doubt on Britain’s ability to defend the Falkland Islands during the visit.
On Wednesday, Mr Burnham told MPs a border poll would be considered only when there was “a clear consensus in the country”.
The row may also complicate Washington’s relations with Northern Irish parties.
While Sinn Féin has boycotted the annual St Patrick’s Day visit to Washington over Mr Trump’s Middle East policy, leading unionist parties the DUP and UUP have continued to engage with the president.
In response to his comments, DUP leader Gavin Robinson said Northern Ireland’s future would be decided by its people, not “commentary in London, Dublin or Washington”.
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald said the president’s comments were “timely” and Mr Martin “must now begin planning for a united Ireland”.
The UK-Ireland border remains a sensitive issue, with Mr Burnham triggering a political row earlier in the year after saying a referendum on reunification was “off the table”.
Under the terms of the 1998 Belfast/Good Friday Agreement, the UK’s Northern Ireland secretary can decide to hold a border poll, and has a duty to call one if it appears likely a majority would vote for Irish unification.
The people of the Republic of Ireland must also vote in favour to effect constitutional change.
Mr Trump said America’s relationship with Ireland had “never been as good as it is right now” while Mr Martin praised the “sporting relationship” between their two countries.
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