The community in Doonbeg village on the west Clare coast is watching events in the US election with great interest as the five-star Trump resort is a major tourism investment in the locality.
The €8 million Trump hotel and golf resort employs over 300 people during the busy tourist season, and also ensures employment in a whole range of ancillary tourism businesses like chauffer and luxury bus services, and supports pubs and restaurants along the coast from Doonbeg right down to the Loop Head peninsula.
Liam Ryan is a retired businessman who now lives in the area and is also a member of the Doughmore coastal action group, which is extremely concerned about the coastal erosion on the beach and dunes which borders the golf links.
He believes the resort could be in great difficulty in the future if the beach defences proposed by the Trump organisation are not proceeded with.
The proposed defences have been held up for a number of years because of planning objections.
Mr Ryan said the people of Doonbeg have great time for the Trumps. He said they are extremely down to earth people and President Trump's sons visit the village regularly.
"I met President Trump when he was here in Doonbeg in June 2019 and he is extremely personable, not a bit like what we see in the US," Mr Ryan said.
"They are planning to build a convention wedding and leisure centre there which will bring more international visitors to the region, but the business, which is Clare’s biggest employer, will be under pressure to survive if the erosion issue is not addressed," he said
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Rita McInerney, who has just opened a new convenience shop in the village, said people in the locality are very supportive of the Trump investment.
She said while his presidency has been very divisive and has polarised many groups, people here have different views on that, his investment has brought a lot of jobs and tourism revenue to a rural area like west Clare and people appreciate that the Trump family have supported the community for the past six years.
Ms McInerney said Ireland's link with the US President and his office is also a very important factor for the entire country and for foreign direct investment and multinational investment here.
Martin Kelly is a contractor who has worked at the Trump resort and his mother is one of the longest established employees at the Trump hotel.
She was ill recently and the hotel sent her flowers on behalf of the Trump family and Eric Trump asked especially for her and wished her a speedy recovery, he said.
"We support the Trumps because they support us and all our community and they are great employers, so we’re hoping he gets the Presidency again," Mr Kelly said.
