President Donald Trump was met by a series of angry protests as he arrived at his Doonbeg golf course for the final day of the Irish Open on Sunday.
Trump is a controversial guest of honor this weekend – which is being held at his resort – and he was pictured shaking hands with tournament leader Shane Lowry ahead of the final day of action.
While the president was all smiles, it was hard to ignore the furious protests on the outskirts of the course, as locals attempted to make their voices heard.
Various signs and anti-Trump posters were held aloft, with the protestors kept out of the grounds by barriers and a heavy police presence.
One banner read: ‘No failte for fascists’, and another called the president a ‘tyrannical racsist [sic] ultra mysogynistic [sic] pig.’
Trump is on the second day of his visit to Ireland, and he courted controversy on Saturday with some strong comments in support of Irish unification.
President Donald Trump waves to fans as he arrives at the Irish Open golf on Sunday
Outside the grounds of the course, anti-Trump protestors tried to make their voices heard
The president shook hands with tournament leader and home favorite Shane Lowry (center)
The president had responded to a question from the Press Association, by stating he ‘would love to see’ Ireland unified, adding: ‘It’s going to happen eventually.’
On Sunday he doubled down and said he ‘loved’ the backlash to his comments.
Trump spoke briefly to reporters as he walked to the first tee on his golf resort in Doonbeg, Co Clare.
When asked about the diplomatic controversy sparked by his comments, he said: ‘I loved them.’
Further asked about the backlash to his intervention, he said: ‘I love my comments.’
He did not appear to comment further when asked about a timeline for Irish unity or a separate question on Scottish independence.
President Trump also said it was ‘great’ to be in Doonbeg and added: ‘I love Irish people.’
Protestors were placed behind barriers and police held them back from the golf course
One banner outside Trump’s Doonbeg golf resort read: ‘No failte for fascists’
Activists in penguin costumes protest against the visit of US president Trump to the Irish Open
Taoiseach Micheal Martin and some other senior Irish Government figures are also attending the final day of play at the Irish Open being hosted at Trump’s Doonbeg course.
It is anticipated Trump 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 continuing for the visit, with Ireland’s police service An Garda Siochana liaising with the Defence Forces and US Secret Service in the area around the resort.
Trump’s presence has also 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.
