Trump visit involves ‘one of biggest’ policing operations in Ireland

US President Donald Trump speaks during an event with Republican lawmakers in the Rose Garden of the White House, Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

US President Donald Trump’s visit will involve “one of the biggest security and policing operations” ever carried out by gardaí.

Mr Trump will be in Ireland on September 12 and 13 for engagements in the capital, Dublin, as well as at his golf resort in Doonbeg, Co Clare, which will be hosting the Irish Open.

An Garda Síochána said it has been involved in “intense, in-depth and extensive planning” ahead of the visit.

It has declared an “extraordinary event” allowing for the changing of rosters and overtime arrangements, re-allocated staff, and engaged with Ireland’s Defence Forces and other international police forces.

Garda at the Irish Open course in Doonbeg, Co Clare, ahead of US President Donald Trump's expected arrival at the weekend. Mr Trump is to visit Ireland on Saturday and Sunday where he will meet political leaders and also attend the Irish Open golf tournament. On Saturday, he will visit his ambassador Edward Walsh and speak to President Catherine Connolly in Áras an Uachtaráin. Picture date: Friday September 11, 2026. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Brian Lawless/PA Wire

It said: “The policing and security operation for the visit of the 47th President of the United States of America will be one of the biggest policing and security operations implemented by An Garda Síochána.” 

It added: “The policing and security operation is a whole-of-An Garda Síochána response.

“Over the course of the policing and security operation, members of An Garda Síochána will perform over 10,000 12-hour tours of duty from Friday until Sunday.” 

It involves the Special Tactics and Operations Command, Close Protection Officers, armed and intelligence units as well as public order police.

Arrangements are being finalised, but it is understood Mr Trump will be greeted by the Tánaiste Simon Harris at Dublin Airport on Saturday.

He is then expected to meet President Catherine Connolly, a long-standing critic of the US President, at her official residence, Áras an Uachtaráin in Dublin’s Phoenix Park before a nearby engagement with Taoiseach Micheál Martin at the Farmleigh Estate.