Former US President Donald J Trump has arrived in Ireland for a whistle-stop tour of his Clare hotel.
Final preparations were being made to the Trump International Hotel in Doonbeg, Co Clare, on Wednesday afternoon ahead of the former President's trip to his five star golf resort on the Atlantic coast.
The Irish Mirror saw American flags being hung around the courtyard of the hotel and golf club just hours before Mr Trump landed at Shannon Airport shortly before 6:30pm.
READ MORE: Donald Trump in Ireland LIVE updates as former US President visits Doonbeg after Scotland
His large black plane, branded with the word Trump, on the side, was accompanied by a smaller private jet.
While it was expected that the ex-POTUS and his delegation, including his son Eric, would leave the airport by helicopter, the west coast wind put an end to this plan.
Instead, the group travelled an hour up the road to Doonbeg. Mr Trump travelled in a BMW X5, escorted by a number of gardaí in Audi jeeps and on motorbikes.
Security was tight at the usually quiet Shannon Airport, with both Secret Service agents and gardaí monitoring activity around the vicinity.
There were several members of the Armed Support Unit present, as a constant stream of garda cars and motorbikes patrolled the area in the run-up to the arrival.
Excitement was building around Clare from early on Wednesday morning as several US flags and Irish flags lined the road up to the country hotel. While there was not a heavy garda presence around Doonbeg before lunchtime, the operation increased drastically just before 3pm, with dozens of gardaí monitoring the area.
One source told the Irish Mirror that the hotel was in “effective” lockdown, with security told to check a list of names before letting people onto the property.
Staff were observed by the Irish Mirror hanging up American flags around the courtyard, as poles were given a final lick of gold and black paint.
Mr Trump is expected to be greeted by a group of Irish dancers when he arrives at the Doonbeg hotel.
It is also expected that he will meet local business owners in the hotel.
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