A massive security operation is underway in Shannon and Doonbeg ahead of the visit of the US Vice President.
Mike Pence will land in Shannon this afternoon, where he and Tánaiste Simon Coveney are scheduled to have a brief meeting, while tomorrow he’ll meet President Michael D Higgins and Taoiseach Leo Varadkar.
He’ll also spend time with relatives in Doonbeg, as Clare FM’s Gavin Grace reports.
The US Vice President will be greeted by the Tánaiste, Simon Coveney when he lands into Shannon Airport this afternoon, beginning this State Visit.
Mike Pence wasn’t due to arrive until Friday, but the trip was brought forward after his travel plans were changed.
He will stay in Doonbeg over the next two nights, in the Trump resort, and tomorrow will fly to Dublin for engagements with the President and Taoiseach, but a personal highlight will undoubtedly come tomorrow evening back in Doonbeg.
The Pences are to hold a private family dinner in Morrissey’s, which is run by his distant relative Hugh McNally. His wife, sister and mother are among those expected to attend.
Local businesswoman and Fianna Fáil General Election candidate Rita Mc Inerny says it’s an important visit.
The visit comes less than three months after President Donald Trump travelled here, and Doonbeg Community Development says they’ve already seen a massive jump in American tourists off the back of it.
Tommy Commerford hopes Tourism Ireland will capitalise on the spin off from both visits.
A five million euro security operation is now underway in Shannon and Doonbeg and will continue until noon on Wednesday.
Clare Crime Prevention Officer, sergeant Tríona O’Rourke is reassuring that it will result in minimal disruption for road users.
It’s business as usual at Shannon Airport, but passengers are being advised to allow extra travel time for the duration of the US Vice President’s visit.
Managing Director, Andrew Murphy is advising passengers to leave an extra fifteen minutes travel time, and to contact your airline if you have any concerns.
Further updates will be available on Shannon Airport’s social media channels.
