Clinton finishes his round of golf at BallyB

Former US president Bill Clinton has finished his round of golf with Dick Spring at the Ballybunion links course in Kerry.

After landing at Farranfore Airport at about 10.30am, Mr Clinton greeted wellwishers before being whisked off to the prestigious golf links course.

Asked by one onlooker why had kept returning to Ireland - as president he visited the country an unprecedented three times - he replied: ‘‘I love it.’’

With a busy few days of engagements ahead of him, Mr Clinton opted for a game of golf with former Tanaiste Dick Spring, his nephew Graham, a professional golfer, and the captain of the Ballybunion Golf Club, Brendan O’Sullivan.

He asked for privacy but, accompanied by a strong but discreet security presence, allowed a small throng of photographers and journalists to watch the quartet tee-off at the first hole.

Mr Clinton drove off first with what was generally acknowledged to be a magnificent shot - he is understood to play off a handicap of 12.

As a club member, he avoided paying the £75 green fee.

It is expected that after at least 27 holes and nine miles, Mr Clinton will head to Dromoland Castle, Co Clare, for the night.

He is to travel from the very south of the island to the North.

Mr Clinton is due to travel to Dublin tomorrow to pay courtesy calls on Prime Minister Bertie Ahern and President Mary McAleese and will deliver this year’s Independent Lecture at Trinity College, Dublin.

The highlight of his trip to the capital is a celebrity-studded dinner in Dublin Castle on Tuesday, due to be attended by both Mr Ahern and Senator George Mitchell, raising funds for the Northern Ireland Fund for Reconciliation.

He is expected to visit Belfast, Enniskillen and Derry in the North on Wednesday and Thursday, before travelling to England.