*An artist’s impression of Trump’s Doonbeg ballroom
PLANS to construct a new permanent ballroom at Donald Trump’s Trump Doonbeg golf resort in west Clare “represents positive plan-led development that supports local employment”.
That is according to local Fianna Fáil member of Clare County Council, Cllr Rita McInerney who is part of a wave of local support for the ballroom proposal that will have the capacity to accommodate 320 guests.
To date, four submissions have been lodged with the Council on the proposal and three are locally based and all three are in favour of the scheme.
The show of local support for the TIGL Ireland Enterprises Ltd’s scheme coincides with US President Donald Trump’s son and director of TIGL Ireland Enterprises, Eric making a private visit to the resort this week.
In his role as President of the Local Links Golf Club, Doonbeg, Michael Waters has told the council that “I believe that this development will bring significant benefits to the local area by enhancing the functionality of the property”.
Mr Waters states that “the proposed design is in keeping with the character of the area, respects neighbouring properties and adheres to relevant planning guidelines”
He adds: “I am confident that it will have a positive impact on the wider community. The addition of the ballroom will strengthen the resort’s role as a key economic driver for Doonbeg and west Clare.”
Cllr McInerney also operates a long-standing retail business in Doonbeg village and she has told the Council that the application “proposes a significant investment in the renewal and enhancement of the hotel’s event and function facilities”.
Cllr McInerney states that “the proposal represents a clear commitment to the long term sustainability and competitiveness of one of west Clare’s most significant tourism and employment anchors”.
She states that the replacement of temporary and outdated structures with a permanent, purpose built facility “is a positive and logical progression for the site, visitor experience while enhancing operational efficiency”.
TIGL Ireland Enterprises Ltd have also lodged a companion application for other upgrade works at the resort and Cllr McInerney states that taken together, these applications represent positive plan-led development that supports local employment and indirect economic activity.
Cllr McInerney states that they also support the ongoing success of west Clare as a high quality tourism destination; sensitive development within a coastal and environmentally designated landscape and investment confidence in rural west Clare.
She said that “from a community perspective, continued re-investment in this facility has clear knock-on benefits for local suppliers, trades, accommodation providers and the wider hospitality sector across the region”.
Doonbeg Tidy Towns has also lodged a submission which states that it supports the grant of permission for the proposed ballroom development.
However, the sole objector to date is Liam Madden of Convent Rd, Longford.
Mr Madden claims that there is no doubt, scientific and otherwise, that the combined developments would cause significant effects on this, the most protected of all EU sites.
Mr Madden stated that a statement in the companion planning application suggests that the development will be carried out in 2026. He says: “You can forget that!”
The closing date for submissions is February 3rd with a decision due later next month.
