Donald Trump ‘looking forward’ to Ireland visit

President Donald Trump has said he is looking forward to his trip to Ireland next week.

Mr Trump said he will base himself at the hotel and golf resort he owns in Doonbeg in the west of the country.

The US president and First Lady Melania are due to arrive in the country on Wednesday after a three-day state visit to the UK.

Speaking to RTE News at the White House, Mr Trump said: “We’re going to be staying at Doonbeg in Ireland because it’s convenient and a great place.

“We’ll be meeting with a lot of the Irish officials and it’ll be an overnight stay and I look forward to that.”

Mr Trump bought the golf resort for 8.7 million euros in 2014.

During his visit he will hold a bilateral meeting with Irish premier Leo Varadkar at Shannon Airport.

On Wednesday, Mr Varadkar told the Dail parliament that he was looking forward to discussing free trade with the US president during his trip.

He added that he believes strongly in free trade.

Mr Trump had been due to visit Ireland last November but the trip was postponed due to operational reasons.

His trip to the UK next week will include lunch with the Queen at Buckingham Palace and meetings with Prime Minister Theresa May.

He will also attend events in France to commemorate the 75th anniversary of D-Day.