On September 12 and 13, large protests took place across Dublin and Clare in response to US President Donald Trump’s two-day visit to Ireland. Thousands gathered in Dublin City Centre to participate in the ‘No Welcome for Trump’ protest, collectively organised by groups such as the Irish Anti-War Movement, the Irish Neutrality League and many more.
The protest started at the Garden of Remembrance and proceeded in a march to Molesworth Street, where a rally was held.
The streets of Dublin were filled with chants such as “Trump’s not welcome here”, and many displayed placards and Palestinian and LGBTQ+ flags. At the rally, TD Ruth Coppinger gave a speech expressing her frustration with Trump’s presence in the country, saying: “He assaults with impunity and it’s all okay with the Irish government and establishment”.
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The anticipated and contentious meeting of Trump and President Catherine Connolly also took place at Áras an Uachtarán, with Phoenix Park being closed to accommodate the courtesy call. As reported by RTÉ, President Connolly stated, “I conveyed the strong view of the Irish people that the normalisation of war and genocide can never be accepted.
“As a country which has suffered famine, colonisation and the violence of the Troubles, but also the importance of the long and challenging road to peace, I emphasised the unique insight which Irish people can bring to the resolution of conflict.”
Additionally, President Trump was presented with gifts of the Irish medieval text Navigato Sancti Brendani Abbatis, a St Bridget’s Cross and a poetry collection by Belfast author Michael Longley, including a symbolically significant poem titled ‘Ceasefire’.
At the US Ambassador Residency, Trump gave a speech where he endorsed Ireland and Northern Ireland’s unification and described the Irish people as friendly but vicious.
At a conference with Taoiseach Michéal Martin later that day, President Trump was asked what he would say to the people who took part in the protest against his visit to Ireland. His response was “I didn’t know there was a protest. It can’t be a very big one because we’ve been all over Ireland… It’s a friendly protest.”
After leaving Dublin, his arrival at Doonbeg Hotel was met with some cheers and chants of “USA!”, however he has faced more mass protests at Shannon Airport and the Doonbeg International Golf Club. A demonstrator speaking to RTÉ shared: “The Irish people are opposed to the policies and practices of him and his administration around the world”.
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