The Donald dilemma

Gratitude for the jobs that Donald Trump has created in Doonbeg is tempered by misgivings about his character and politics. So how does a quiet village in west Clare balance the financial benefits of the US president’s investment with the unforgiving publicity that such a relationship inevitably brings?

Tommy Comerford in Doonbeg: ‘We’re hardy. We’ve to fight for anything we can get’ Picture: Arthur Ellis

It’s Tuesday night in Doonbeg, and a handful of locals are gathered in Tommy Tubridy’s bar on the main street. Tommy is behind the bar with his sleeves rolled up to his forearms and, as I walk in, four of his regulars are gathered around the taps in a tight cluster, reading aloud from a letter. Their faces are portraits of seriousness and concern, and Tubridy’s brow is similarly furrowed.

I can’t properly ...