At lunchtime on Wednesday, Co Clare man, Timothy O’Connell was smiling while posing for a photo beside the 'Trump International Golf Links & Hotel Ireland’ sign at the entrance to the Donald Trump owned golf resort.
Mr O’Connell was making the 110km round trip from his home in Newmarket on Fergus to the resort to mark Donald Trump’s election as US President.
He said: “I came out especially. Why? Because I am just delighted that Donald Trump has been elected. I think it is a good thing for America and a good thing for the world.”
At the resort, there was no sign of any celebrations of the resort owner’s resounding US election victory, as the main doors of the hotel were shut with the hotel and restaurant now closed from Monday to Thursday during the off-season, with the resort open each Friday to Sunday.
The golf course was open as was the well-stocked golf shop where along with Trump Doonbeg branded goods, customers could purchase from a range of Trump MAGA (Make America Great Again) peaked hats in a variety of colours including red, white and navy.
In the nearby Doonbeg village, local retail worker, Susan O’Shea said today that Mr Trump’s election as US President for the second time “is good for the community here”.
Ms O’Shea said: “He is a big employer and there is a huge spin-off. I don’t follow politics, but I am just glad that he has got in and it is good for our community.”
The Trumps have injected millions into the resort since their 2014 knockdown purchase and at high season 300 people are employed at the resort.
The most recent accounts for the Trump Doonbeg firm show that €6.6 million was paid out in wages in 2022.
Ms O’Shea said that 90 per cent of customers to McInerney’s convenience store on the village’s main street “were happy” on Wednesday morning with the US election result.
She said: “They are very happy because since he took over the hotel, it has been a really good investment for both him and the area."
Ms O’Shea said: “He looks after his staff very well, and you have them here for their weekly shop, and he provides a bus for them to come in."
Ms O’Shea said that the positive impact of the resort on the west Clare area “is like an octopus, it is far reaching”.
Commenting on Mr Trump's victory, local publican, Tommy Tubridy said: “I am just delighted to have him back again. He is very good for the local economy.”
Mr Tubridy said that it is Mr Trump’s son, Eric who is the most involved Trump family member in the running of the resort.
He said: “We have got to know him down through the years and they have invested a lot of money up there. We get on very well with them and they get on very well with us.
He said: “All looks good for the local economy. It is a win-win situation here for everyone.
Asked will there be a party locally to celebrate the Trump win, Mr Tubridy said: “We will wait until he comes.”
In the pub business 49 years, Mr Tubridy said: “There is a good buzz here today. When you have the president of the US having property here in Doonbeg, it is very good and he is creating a lot of employment and that is what it is all about."
During Mr Trump’s visit to Trump Doonbeg as President in 2019, the pupils of the two teacher Clohanes NS met with President Trump near the 9th green at the golf course while he was out playing a round of golf.
Principal, Aideen O’Mahony met President Trump along with the pupils on that occasion.
Today 18 pupils attend the school and Ms O’Mahony said that on Wednesday morning, the pupils were talking about President Trump’s election win.
The school is located one mile from the Trump Doonbeg golf course and Ms O’Mahony said that some parents of the children attending school work at Trump Doonbeg.
Recalling the children’s encounter with President Trump five years ago, Ms O’Mahony said: “It was a surprise on the day. It was great fun for the children - they enjoyed it."
She said: "The hotel is very important for employment in the area."
Local retailer, and Fianna Fáil general election candidate, Cllr Rita McInerney (FF) said that people are now more guarded what they say about Mr Trump because of online abuse in the past.
She said: “The community of Doonbeg is trying to survive and grow. The nastiness should not be targeted at rural communities where people are trying to survive.
Cllr McInerney said: “The people of Doonbeg have the same variety of opinions on Donald Trump as other parts of the country. Some people are for him and some people are against him.”
She said that the locals' main concern from the election "is that overall it will have a positive impact on the resort and its success"
