Trump International Golf Links in Doonbeg, Co Clare – which is owned by US president Donald Trump – has been confirmed as the venue for next year’s Amgen Irish Open tournament where Rory McIlroy will defend his title on September 10th-13th 2026.
The confirmation came with the DP World Tour’s early release of its schedule for 2026, with Doonbeg – a spectacular links course designed by Australian Greg Norman – one of a number of new venues added the tour’s international itinerary.
Next year’s Irish Open will be staged a week after the Walker Cup – the prestige amateur team match between Britain and Ireland against the United States – takes place further along the Atlantic coast at Lahinch.
Doonbeg will be the 22nd host venue for the Irish Open, which was first staged at Portmarnock in north Co. Dublin in 1927.
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Eric Trump, son of Donald Trump and executive vice president of The Trump Organisation said the tournament was among the most celebrated in golf.
“Bringing it to Trump Ireland is a true testament to the standard of excellence that’s upheld at this property,” he said in a statement following the announcement. “The course is absolutely remarkable, and we are honoured to welcome the DP World Tour, its players, and fans from across the globe to experience the beauty and challenge of our championship links.”
Speaking at last week’s Irish Open when rumours abounded that Doonbeg would get the go-ahead to stage the tournament in 2026, McIlroy replied:
“I’ve never played Doonbeg. I went there for dinner once at some point. I’ve obviously heard the rumours. I’m not sure if it’s confirmed or not or when the schedule comes out, but if it were to go there, I would have no problem. The Scottish Championship was played at a Trump property near Aberdeen there a few weeks ago, looked like it was great event. We’re going back to Doral next year on the PGA Tour.
“If that’s back on a links course, I’m not sure how Doonbeg stacks up against other links courses in the country, but I would be absolutely happy to go there.”
Pádraig Harrington, who played a match with Norman on the course’s opening in 2002, observed: “a job he did on that. I remember looking at it and going, you’d have to be somebody of Greg Norman’s stature to be able to do a design like that, a real traditional funky links golf course ... bunkers in the middle of greens, L-shaped par-3s. It was really great fun to play, I was very impressed with Greg’s work.”
Doonbeg has a spectacular setting along the Atlantic coastline but includes a large amount of dunes which is part of a special area of conservation which could limit the number of spectators attending the tournament, not dissimilar to the restrictions taken at Royal County Down last year.
In announcing the schedule for 2026, Guy Kinnings, the DP World Tour’s chief executive, said: “Our 2026 schedule once again showcases our global talent in global destinations as we celebrate the diversity of the courses and cultures we visit.”
Taoiseach Micheál Martin said he would meet Mr Trump if he travelled to Doonbeg for next year’s Irish Open as Ireland’s close relationship with the US “puts bread on the table”.
Mr Martin said the relationship between Ireland and the US was critically important as hundreds of thousands of jobs were supported by US multinationals. He also said there was a substantial Irish diaspora in the US and the cultural, historical and familial relationships between both countries were very strong.
“There’s no question but President Trump will be welcome.”He said it would help underpin the US-Ireland relationship and said that a fantastic Irish Open had just concluded. Praising McIlroy on his victory there, Mr Martin said he was putting Irish golf on the world map.
The Taoiseach said there would be political differences on specific issues. “We live in a democracy and we facilitate protests. We facilitate people with different perspectives.
“The fundamentals are that we will continue to support that relationship because it puts bread on the table.”
