Clare council gives green light for Doonbeg upgrade works

Council granted planning permission after eco-experts said the works would not have any impact on protected snail

The Trump organisation has ploughed more than €40m, including the purchase price, into the resort since it came under its ownership in February 2014.

Clare County Council has given the green light to US president Donald Trump's golf resort at Doonbeg for new upgrade works.

In a decision issued on Wednesday, the council has granted planning permission to TIGL Ireland Enterprises after concluding the works would not seriously injure the amenities of the property in the vicinity.

The council made its decision, with 13 conditions attached, taking into account the established onsite tourism and recreation uses.

The council has given the project the green light after eco-experts said the works would not have any impact on the protected snail, the vertigo angustior.

The application lodged in February of last year proposed the change of use of Doughmore House at the resort from office/administration use to leisure/recreation use and the scheme included the construction of pickleball courts, a basketball court and two soft play areas at Doughmore House.

However, in the revised plans lodged with the council last November, a planning report said no works were proposed at Doughmore House and “this adjustment reduces the project's potential impact on the surrounding area, including sensitive environmental areas”.

There are tens of millions of the tiny whorl snail at the course, and in 2014 shortly after purchasing the resort, Mr Trump told reporters he would be a friend to the vertigo angustior on the site.

The council stalled the project last April due to the impact the project could have on the vertigo angustior, and other planning issues.

In a report prepared by planning consultant, Conor Healy of Cunnane Stratton Reynolds for TIGL Ireland Enterprises, he said the proposed works at O’Dea’s Barn and Healy House at the resort would not affect the vertigo angustior within the Carrowmore Dunes Special Area of Conservation.

The Trump organisation has ploughed more than €40m, including the purchase price, into the resort since it came under its ownership in February 2014.

The 2023 accounts filed last month show operating profits at the Co Clare luxury golf resort more than doubled to €2.06m in 2023, in a record year for the business.

This followed revenues rising by 12%, from €14.36m to €16.12m.