Village prepares a welcome

A rural village tucked into a corner of west Clare in Ireland is making last-minute preparations to welcome Donald Trump.

While the US president is accustomed to protests and public outrage wherever he goes, he will be warmly greeted with smiles and cheers from the locals of Doonbeg.

The village, home to Mr Trump’s golf and hotel resort, has been bedecked in American flags and bunting to ensure the investor is made to feel welcome.

The small parish, home to around 800 people, has become the focal point of his visit to Ireland.

A major security operation has seen hundreds of Irish law enforcement officers, members of the defence forces, private security, sniffer dogs and the secret service trawling roads, fields and villages in west Clare.

Members of the navy were also spotted off the coast checking small boats.

Local residents living close to Trump International Golf Links and Hotel have been issued security passes and photographic identification while travelling to and from their homes.

Mr Trump, who is due to arrive at Shannon Airport today, has been hailed for bringing massive employment to the area.

More than 300 staff work at the Doonbeg resort, making him the biggest local employer.

John Flanagan, chairman of Doonbeg Community Development, said he hopes the president will stop in the village. “We are planning music in the bars and doing activities like pony rides,” he said. “We would love if Mr Trump came down to the village, but we doubt he will.

“If he did visit the village and shook a few hands, that would make people’s lives. His visit is one of the biggest events that will happen here.

“What would we have without Donald Trump? You take the hotel out and we are back to square one.”