Clare County Council has given the green light to US president Donald Trump’s golf resort at Doonbeg for new upgrade works.
In a decision issued on Wednesday the council has granted planning permission to operating company TIGL Ireland Enterprises after concluding that the works would not seriously impact the amenities of the property. The decision was made with 13 conditions attached, and took into account the established on-site tourism and recreation uses.
The council gave the go-ahead after environmental experts for the resort said the works would not have any impact on a protected snail, the vertigo angustior.
The application lodged in February of last year proposed the change of use of Doughmore House at the resort from office/administration use to leisure/recreation use, and the scheme included the construction of pickle ball courts, a basketball court and two soft play areas at Doughmore House.
However, in the 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”.
The grant of planning permission follows the US president’s sons, Donald Trump Jnr and Eric Trump, stating in their directors’ note with Trump Resort company accounts lodged last month that they are in the process of upgrading various facilities at the resort. The note said that it was “expected that this will enhance the customer experience and have a positive impact on the group’s and company’s trading results”.
The 2023 accounts filed last month show that operating profits at the Co Clare luxury golf resort more than doubled to €2.06 million in 2023 in a record year for the business. This followed revenues rising by 12 per cent from €14.36 million to €16.12 million.
Commenting on the 2023 performance, general manager Joe Russell said last month 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″.
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