Permission granted for upgrade works at Donald Trump-owned resort in Doonbeg

US President Donald Trump's golf resort at Doonbeg in west Clare has been granted permission to carry out new upgrade works.

In a decision issued earlier this week, Clare County Council confirmed its decision to approve the application of TIGL Ireland Enterprises after concluding that the works would not seriously injure the amenities of the property in the vicinity.

The local authority made its decision, with 13 conditions attached, taking into account the established onsite tourism and recreation uses.

The council has given the project the green light after eco-experts for the resort stated that the works will not have any impact on the protected snail, the Vertigo Angustior.

The application, lodged in February of last year, proposes the change of use of Doughmore House at the resort from office/administration use to leisure/recreation use. Construction of pickle ball courts, a basketball court and two soft play areas at Doughmore House were also proposed.

However, in revised plans lodged with the council last November, a planning report stated that no works are proposed at Doughmore House and “this adjustment reduces the project's potential impact on the surrounding area, including sensitive environmental areas”. 

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There are tens of millions of the tiny whorl snail at the course and at Shannon airport and in 2014 - shortly after purchasing the resort -  Mr Trump told reporters that he would be a friend to the Vertigo Angustior at the site.

The Council stalled the project last April due to concerns about the impact the project could have on the Vertigo Angustior and other planning issues.

In a report prepared by planning consultant, Conor Healy of Cunnane Stratton Reynolds for TIGL Ireland Enterprises, stated that the proposed works at O’Dea’s Barn and Healy House at the resort will not affect Vertigo Angustior within the Carrowmore Dunes Special Area of Conservation.

Highlighting the painstaking work to determine the conservation status of the Vertigo Angustior, survey and monitoring of Vertigo angustior at Doonbeg was carried out on May 6 and May 7  last year.

The report stated that the 200 subsamples - approximately 20kg in total - were flown to the UK and at a lab, each subsample was laid out in an aluminium tray, and dried for several weeks. 

The granting of planning permission follows the US President's sons, Donald Trump Jnr and Eric Trump stating in their directors’ report for their Trump Resort company accounts, lodged last month, that they are in the process of upgrading various facilities at the Trump International Hotel and Golf Club.

They state that "it is expected that this will enhance the customer experience and have a positive impact on the group’s and company’s trading results”.

The Trump Organisation has ploughed more than €40m, including the purchase price, into the resort since it came under the ownership of the Trump Organisation in February 2014.

The 2023 accounts filed last month show that operating profits at the County Clare luxury golf resort more than doubled to €2.06m in 2023 - a record year for the business.

This followed revenues rising by 12% from €14.36m to €16.12m.

Commenting on the 2023 performance, General Manager, Joe Russell said last month: "Trump Ireland, Doonbeg continued on its upward trajectory of business growth and profitability, having its most successful year in 2023, since opening in 2002, and since the Trump Organisation acquired the resort in 2014.” 

Mr Russell said that “average rates for rooms and golf performed at record levels, where the lead price for an Ocean View suite during high season in 2024 set one back €2,720 per night and green fee rates peaking at €450 per person, which are now rising to €525 per person in 2025, testament to the ongoing demand for our hotel and golf course, the product and service levels provided at Trump Doonbeg”. 

Donald Trump, who was inaugurated as the 47th President of the United States on Monday, is expected to visit Doonbeg during a trip to Europe later this year.