Donald Trump received military honors during a brief Dublin courtesy visit with Irish President Catherine Connolly.
U.S. President Donald Trump received a formal military welcome in Dublin on Saturday but a notably restrained reception from Irish President Catherine Connolly, who hosted him for a brief courtesy visit at the presidential residence.
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The roughly 15-minute encounter at Áras an Uachtaráin was part of Trump’s informal two-day trip to Ireland, which also includes a visit to his golf resort in Doonbeg, in the west of the country, to attend the Irish Open.
Although the trip is not an official state visit, Dublin’s Phoenix Park was closed to the public for the occasion and Irish authorities arranged a guard of honor for the U.S. president.
Trump walked along a red carpet on arrival, shook Connolly’s hand and briefly entered the residence with her. The two then returned outside, where a military band played the national anthems of the United States and Ireland.
Irish Prez Connolly welcomes Trump to Dublin with handshake before they head inside for talks https://t.co/WMtHKokgnn pic.twitter.com/c4zvFfeF5Z
— RT Intl (@RT_on_X) September 12, 2026
No images were released from inside the residence, and no details were provided about what the two leaders discussed. Trump signed the visitors’ book, writing: “It is a great honor to be here. Thank you.”
The meeting had been closely watched because of the sharp political differences between Connolly and Trump. The Irish president has previously criticized Trump’s policies and his role in the wars in Gaza and Iran. She has also taken part in protests against him and previously described the U.S. president as a “bully” and “misogynist.”
Despite those differences, Connolly maintained the formal protocol expected of her as Ireland’s president during the encounter.
Trump later traveled to Farmleigh House, the official guest residence, for a bilateral meeting with Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin.
He was also due to attend an event at the U.S. ambassador’s residence in Dublin, where he was scheduled to address about 100 guests. The engagement was to be his final political commitment in the capital before his departure for Doonbeg and the Irish Open.
Trump arrived in Ireland amid what was described as one of the largest security operations in the country’s history. Large anti-war protests and demonstrations opposing the U.S. president were scheduled in both Dublin and the area around Doonbeg.
Ireland and Palestine know what occupation, partition, and being told to wait for freedom feel like. That’s why Irish recognition of Palestine wasn’t a gesture — it was kinship. From Dublin marches to official recognition, the message has been consistent: a people have a right to… pic.twitter.com/5OeI4NYRBn
— Paddystinian (@Paddystinian) September 12, 2026
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