AN IRISH bar manager has described tycoon Donald Trump’s decision to withdraw plans for a second Aberdeenshire golf course as “a real shame.”
Westmeath native Keith Martin – who has lived in Aberdeen for 12 years and is manager of Malones – told The Irish Post that Trump’s presence in the town has been a benefit for local businesses.
“It’s been great for business. A lot of people have travelled over from Ireland and visited us,” he said. “It has been quite good for the city as a whole and bringing people to the town.”
Of the tycoon’s decision to open an additional course in Ireland he added: “He’s well able to open and run as many golf courses he wants.”
Doonbeg golf course in Co ClareTrump’s decision to withdraw a planning application to build a second golf course at his Aberdeenshire resort comes only days after Aberdeenshire council received plans for the new McLeod course at the Menie Estate, and his purchase of a five star golf resort on Ireland’s west coast.
The billionaire property developer will restyle the exclusive Doonbeg golf and hotel complex in Co Clare as the Trump International Golf Links, Ireland.
“We’re bringing the Trump factor to Ireland, ” Trump said of the newly acquired resort.
“The Irish employees are ecstatic. We’re getting emails all day from Ireland and we’re going to create a lot of jobs.”
“It’s a very special piece of land on the Atlantic. A lot wanted it, but we will do a better job. All of my clubs are highly successful and Ireland will be too.
“We love Ireland. We’ve been there many times and Ireland has treated us well,” he added.
Whilst businesses may have reaped the benefits of the golf tourism in Aberdeen, many environmentalists will have welcomed the decision by the Scottish courts to reject Trump’s petition for a judicial review of the Scottish government’s decision to allow the development of a £230 million European Offshore Wind Development Centre in Aberdeen Bay.
The businessman argued that the development would disrupt the views from his championship links course.
Users of social media have shared their opinions on Trump’s decision to withdraw plans for a second Aberdeenshire golf course, with many finding humour in his arrival to Ireland.
I bet Donald Trump was the kind of kid who would take his football home if he was losing....
— CB (@ceebee999) February 13, 2014
Hey Ireland. Good luck with Donald Trump. Thanks for taking him and his grubby endeavours off our hands. Lots of love, Scotland xx
— Amaretto Quigley (@Aileen_Quigley) February 13, 2014
Ireland: how to get rid of Donald Trump? Put some windmills in his sight! — Markus Latuske (@Latske) February 12, 2014
Donald Trump leaves Scotland and goes to County Clare to play at Douchebag Golf Club. Sorry, Ireland. Good luck. http://t.co/XICLTeEX8m — Chris Murray (@chrismurraylaw) February 12, 2014
"We're bringing the Trump factor to Ireland" Donald Trump said last night - That's all we need.
— Gavin Flynn (@FlynnGavin) February 12, 2014
Donald J. Trump Lovely to hear you are coming to Ireland ~ Congrats really looking forward to working with you all #weddings #ireland
— OliviaBuckley Events (@OliviaB_Tweets) February 13, 2014
In a statement from New York, Trump declared:
“We will appeal this decision [against the offshore windfarm development] and in the meantime we will be focusing all of our investment and energy towards our new acquisition on the Atlantic Ocean in Ireland.”
