A Doonbeg business owner has said locals are now well used to getting visits from former US President Donald Trump.

Preparations are well underway in the Clare community ahead of the former president’s two-night stay in May.

On Newstalk Breakfast this morning, Rita McInerney, owner of McInerney’s Shop in Doonbeg said locals have “become accustomed to these visits now.”

“Since 2014, the scale of the visit changed completely.”

“In 2019, he came as a president, but I think he’s now coming as a property owner. I believe he’s going to Scotland as well, so I think it’s very much a business visit.”

‘Politics and business’

Ms McInerney said people in Doonbeg are not focused on politics when it comes to Donald Trump.

“Politics-wise, people have every different view and that’s the reality,” she said.

“From a business perspective, we work very well with The Trump Organisation.”

In the 1990s, the Doonbeg Community Development was developed to form a plan to bring jobs to the village.

“The project here in Doonbeg was started 25 years ago by the local community as a way to create employment.”

“The Trump family are the fourth owners of the property.

“We have always said that once the conditions of engagement are met by any of the owners, we work with whoever is the property owner and have a great relationship with them.”

‘Security’

As a former US president, Mr Trump is entitled to security and Gardaí protection during his visit.

Ms McInerney said his last visit to Ireland required a massive security operation.

“The Gardaí were superb back then and the security forces and secret service have always worked very well with everybody,” she said.

“Because we're quite rural on the west coast of Ireland, the property is quite easy to secure. You don’t have a lot of logistics to deal with.”

‘The eyes of the world’

Ms McInerney said the visits bring worldwide attention to the community.

“The eyes of the world briefly will be on you. The west of Ireland is fabulous as a location,” she said.

“We did get that spin-off after the 2019 election visit. People came and were interested and curious and were more familiar with the property as a result.

“So, you would hope that those images go out around the world of Ireland being a beautiful place to visit – the west coast in particular.”

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