Trump International Golf Links & Hotel Ireland, formerly Doonbeg Golf Club, is a traditional links-type course situated to the north of Doonbeg in County Clare, Ireland. Designed by Greg Norman and opened in 2002, the geography was hardly changed as the course was fitted into the area provided.[1] The complex hosts a 5-star hotel, spa, cottages and reception rooms.
 The entrance to the Trump International Golf Links and Hotel | |
| Club information | |
|---|---|
| Location | Doonbeg, County Clare, Ireland |
| Established | 2002 |
| Total holes | 18 |
| Fairways | fescues, bentgrass and ryegrass |
| Website | trumpgolfireland |
| Designed by | Greg Norman |
| Par | 72 |
| Length | 7,400 yard |
 The 14th hole at Doonbeg | |
History
editClare footballer David Tubridy spent time at Doonbeg Golf Club when he was a boy (caddying for such visitors as Hugh Grant and Gary Player).[2] When Tubridy became top scorer in National Football League history against Cork in May 2021,[3] his total score in the competition after this game (22–412, i.e. 478 points) causing him to overtake Mickey Kearins,[4] the then Trump-owned establishment celebrated by giving him lifetime membership of its golf club.[2]
In February 2014, the lodge and golf club was bought by American businessman Donald Trump for an estimated €15M. The Lodge at Doonbeg consists of 218 hotel suites, a spa and several restaurants managed by the Trump Hotel Collection.[5] Then Irish Minister for Finance, Michael Noonan, was criticised for participating in a red-carpet welcoming party for Donald Trump when the latter visited Ireland after completing the purchase.[6]
In 2016 as a US presidential candidate, Trump claimed at a campaign rally that he bought it during an economic downturn in Ireland, that it was a good investment, but that he didn't care about it anymore and described his investment as 'small potatoes'.[7]
Permits for construction
editThe business applied for permits to construct a 2.8-kilometre (1.7 mi) sea wall to protect the property, citing "global warming and its effects", although Trump himself denies the existence of global warming.[8] The plan attracted strong opposition from environmentalists due to concerns that it would adversely affect the Special Area of Conservation status of the site,[9] and was withdrawn in December 2016.[10] In December 2017, permission was granted by Clare County Council for two smaller barriers,[11] however this permission was rescinded in early 2020, following an appeal to An Bord Pleanála.[12]
As of January 2019[update], a decision on permission for "53 short term let cottages, ballroom and leisure building" was pending subject to a request for "further information" by Clare County Council.[13]
Management
editOn assuming the office of United States president in January 2017, Trump (along with his daughter Ivanka) resigned as director of the golf complex; his sons Eric and Donald Jr. remained.[14][15][16] For 2019, the company had reported a pre-tax loss of 1.37 million euros.[17] In November 2021, the resort reported revenue of 3.8 million euros in 2020 and an operating loss of almost 2 million euros ($2.3 million),[18] a pre-tax loss of 3.59 million euros. Its workforce was reduced from 230 to 112, and the company received 459,000 euros in government grants for COVID relief.[17]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Moore, Daron F. The Best Golf Club. Clinton Gilkie. p. 4.
- ^ a b Boyle, Donnchadh (25 June 2022). "Star-spangled Banner". Irish Independent. pp. 6–7 (Sport).
What is probably lost on most visitors is that Doonbeg is also home to the most prolific forward league football has ever seen… Under [manager Colm] Collins, Tubridy became the top scorer in the history of the National League, a testament to his talent, durability and dedication. To mark the achievement, the hotel honoured him with a lifetime membership of the golf club.
- ^ "Tubridy's record haul cannot stop Rebels but Banner qualify with Division 1 now in their sights". Irish Independent. 31 May 2021.
- ^ "Banner hero David Tubridy already has more history in his sights after becoming highest league scorer of all time". Irish Independent. 1 June 2021.
- ^ O'Hora, Ailish (11 February 2014). "US property mogul Donald Trump 'thrilled' to buy Doonbeg golf club". Irish Independent. Retrieved 11 February 2014.
- ^ Minihan, Mary. "Noonan defends role in controversial Trump welcome". The Irish Times. Retrieved 1 April 2019.
- ^ Carswell, Simon. "Donald Trump calls Irish investment 'small potatoes'". The Irish Times. Archived from the original on 4 October 2017. Retrieved 1 April 2019.
- ^ Ben Schreckinger (23 May 2016). "Donald Trump acknowledges climate change — at his golf course". Politico. Retrieved 30 May 2016.
- ^ Roche, Barry (17 September 2017). "New campaign against Trump's plans for Doonbeg wall". The Irish Times.
- ^ Witte, Griff (6 February 2017). "Trump tried and failed to build a wall in Ireland. That could mean big trouble for Europe". Washington Post. Retrieved 7 February 2017.
- ^ Humphries, Conor (21 December 2017). "Ireland gives Trump golf course green light for scaled-down sea wall". Reuters. Archived from the original on 22 December 2017.
- ^ "Trump Doonbeg refused permission for sea wall defences". rte.ie. RTÉ News. 18 March 2020. Retrieved 25 January 2021.
- ^ "€40m Doonbeg development plans stalled". The Clare Echo. 24 January 2019. Retrieved 6 June 2019.
- ^ Trump resigns as director of Doonbeg golf course RTÉ, 25 January 2017.
- ^ NATO, Merkel, Brexit, Doonbeg: Trump unleashes broadsides on Europe RTÉ, 16 January 2017.
- ^ Gordon Deegan (19 February 2017). "Scaled-down rock wall for Doonbeg golf links attracts more objections". Irish Times. Retrieved 19 February 2017.
- ^ a b Deegan, Gordon (30 November 2021). "Losses at Trump Doonbeg resort more than double to €3.59 million". BreakingNews.ie. Retrieved 27 December 2021.
- ^ Alexander, Sophie (30 November 2021). "Trump's Irish Golf Course Posted 2020 Loss After Covid Hit Revenue". Bloomberg News. Retrieved 27 December 2021.