*Photograph: Arthur Ellis.
DONALD TRUMP’s Doonbeg hotel is set to host a special meeting of Clare County Council in the next two months in what has been described as a show of solidarity with the plans of the former US President and his family to further develop their West Clare hotel.
Following a proposal by Cllr Gabriel Keating (FG), Trump International Golf Links & Hotel Doonbeg Ireland will be the venue for either the April or May meeting of Clare County Council.
In 2022, the five star hotel celebrated its twentieth anniversary and also its best year since opening when operating profits increased by 83% to €933,435. Revenues more than doubled rising from €7.17m to €14.36m.
The Trump family acquired the Doonbeg property in 2014, Donald’s four year stint as the 45th President of the United States of America from 2017 to 2021 brought a global focus on the resort.
Speaking at the March meeting of Clare County Council, Cllr Keating referenced that Trump Doonbeg was recently announced the best hospitality workplace overall in Ireland. “The top Irish workplace award was accepted by the Managing Director, Joe Russell. He said the award underscored the Doonbeg resort’s commitment to providing an exceptional workplace experience where each individuals contributions are valued and celebrated”.
He continued, “We in Clare County Council can take some credit for the Doonbeg Golf Links and Hotel which provides worthwhile employment for the people of West Clare. We have given the green light to its development plans and future expansions and we also support its plans for protecting the golf links from coastal erosion thus protecting 300 jobs at the resort and the properties of local farmers and households in the townlands of Doughmore, Caherfeenick, Mountrivers and Rhynagonnaught”.
“It is a matter of great dissatisfaction and concern that An Bord Pleanála in Dublin is opposed to the coastal erosion works that this Council has twice agreed to and supported. Clare County Council who represent the people of Clare should have its voice listened to and heeded,” the Cross native added.
Concluding his contribution at the end of the meeting, Cllr Keating suggested holding a future sitting of the Council at the Trump owned property in Doonbeg “to prove that this Council gives 100 percent approval to the West Clare resort and its coastal protection plans”.
An Bord Pleanála in March 2020 refused planning permission to Trump Doonbeg’s contentious plans for coastal protection plans at the west Clare course. The ruling by An Bord Pleanála overturned a decision made by Clare County Council in December 2017 to give the Trump firm the go-ahead for 38,000 tonnes of rock to be placed in front of the course at Doughmore beach. Plans were first lodged in December 2016 and the Trump company, TIGL Ireland Enterprises Limited had warned that a ‘do nothing’ scenario “will bring the viability of the entire resort and its potential closure into question”.
