US President Donald Trump suggested US Vice President Mike Pence should stay at his Clare golf course during a US taxpayer-funded trip here, a top aide has said.

Mark Short, chief of staff for Mr Pence, also said on Tuesday that the entourage would not be staying at the Trump International Golf Links in Doonbeg for free, which has rekindled claims the US president is using his properties to profit from taxpayer's cash.

Travelling with his wife, sister and mother, Mr Pence attended meetings in Dublin - including President Michael D Higgins and Taoiseach Leo Varadkar.

But instead of staying in the capital, he flew from the president's golf course on the opposite side of the country.

The 182-mile journey on Air Force Two, which takes around an hour, costs around US$13,000 (€11,851) when Mr Pence is on board, according to the air force.

Mr Pence was originally due to finish his trip in Doonbeg, where he has family ties, but travel in between has raised suspicion over how the logistical decisions were made.

Defending the choice on Tuesday, Mr Short said the residence in Doonbeg was the only one in the area that was big enough for the entire entourage - and was picked following Mr Trump's suggestion.

He said: "I don't think it was a request, like a command. ... I think that it was a suggestion.

"It's like when we went through the trip, it's like, well, he's going to Doonbeg because that's where the Pence family is from."

US Vice President Mike Pence and the Second Lady Karen Pence meet airport personnel as they arrive back at Shannon Airport from Dublin during an official visit | Image: Jacob King/PA Wire/PA Images

He said Mr Trump responded by saying: "Well, you should stay at my place."

"It wasn't like a 'you must,'" Mr Short added. "It wasn't like, 'you have to'. It's a facility that could accommodate the team.

"Keep in mind, the Secret Service has protected that facility for him, too, so they sort of know the realities, they know the logistics around that facility.

"We always explore lower cost options, which is why, you know, you have basically different footprints for this trip as well.

"But when you're in Doonbeg tonight and you're with the vice president on some of the official visits he's also doing, you'll also see there are not a lot of options in that community."

He said Mr Pence would personally cover the expenses for his mother and sister.

Democrats have widely criticised the use of Mr Trump's golf course for the trip, labelling it a "corrupt" move.

Ted Lieu, the Democrat representative for California, wrote on Twitter: "Funnelling taxpayer money to @POTUS by staying at this Trump resort is sooooooo corrupt", while the Democratic National Committee said: "Your tax dollars: making the Trump family richer."

Hey @VP @mike_pence: You took an oath to the Constitution, not to @realDonaldTrump. Funneling taxpayer money to @POTUS by staying at this Trump resort is sooooooo corrupt.

Also, I hope you don't encounter bedbugs. Many people say there are lots of bedbugs at Trump properties. https://t.co/KgJfnMRSgt

— Ted Lieu (@tedlieu) September 3, 2019

Mr Pence also faced questions from reporters, to which he replied: "It's wonderful to be back in Ireland".

.@VP Pence in Ireland: "If you have a chance to get to Doonbeg you'll find it's a fairly small place, the opportunity to stay at Trump National in Doonbeg, to accommodate the unique footprint that comes with our security detail and other personnel made it logical." pic.twitter.com/yqOSjKt9M3

— CSPAN (@cspan) September 3, 2019