- US officials have been struggling to secure hotel rooms in County Clare and the mid-west for President Trump’s visit on 12 and 13 September 2026.
- The presidential entourage could number up to 1,000 people, including around 200 Secret Service officers.
- Most hotels in the region for 10-13 September are fully booked, with remaining rooms priced above €800.
- Planning may involve housing many personnel further north towards Galway and transporting them by bus.
- Student accommodation used on previous visits is unavailable this time.
US government officials have been scrambling to secure hotel rooms for Donald Trump’s massive entourage ahead of his trip to Ireland, with much of County Clare and the wider mid-west region completely booked out. An entourage of up to 1,000 people frequently travels with President Donald Trump on major international trips,
The severe room shortage stems from a perfect storm of major regional events. The Irish Open golf tournament takes place from 9 to 13 September and the sporting event alone is anticipated to draw approximately 70,000 spectators. Regular tourists, golf fans, and event staff booked local lodging months in advance.
American advance teams are finding it incredibly difficult to house the vast presidential diplomatic and security apparatus. President Trump is expected to touch down in Ireland on Saturday, 12 September 2026. He will spend a few hours in Dublin for set-piece meetings and plans to meet Taoiseach Micheál Martin at Farmleigh House. He may also meet President Catherine Connolly and turn the sod on the new US Embassy site in Ballsbridge. On Saturday evening, Trump will fly into Shannon Airport and transfer via helicopter to West Clare.
Trump will stay at his Trump International Golf Links & Hotel Doonbeg and is visiting to watch the final stages of the Irish Open on Sunday. Because this is an informal trip centred around golf rather than an official state visit, logistics are trickier. Irish authorities must provide massive security and the total security operation for the trip is estimated to cost around €20m. An Garda Síochána face immense pressure as they are already managing security for Ireland’s EU Presidency. The Garda Commissioner promised that daily local policing in the West will not suffer. Activist groups like the People of Clare Against Genocide have already announced peaceful beach picnics and protests at Shannon Airport. Local businesses in Doonbeg welcome the major economic boost but US organisers continue their frantic search for any remaining beds in neighbouring counties.
