Trump asked Irish President Connolly if she believed a united Ireland would come in her lifetime

From the Newshound archive · first published 19 September 2026.

Catherine Connolly told Donald Trump she hoped Irish unity would be resolved in her lifetime, referencing the Good Friday Agreement's consent requirements.

Donald Trump and Micheál Martin met in Dublin as questions grew over whether Ireland could afford the financial cost of unity should Trump's public backing accelerate political momentum.

Irish President Catherine Connolly has revealed that Trump asked her directly during their Dublin meeting whether she expected to see a unified Ireland in her lifetime — and she replied that she hoped so. The 20-minute meeting took place at Áras an Uachtaráin last Saturday, ranging across the Good Friday Agreement, the Irish constitution, and the consent principle before Trump posed the unity question. Trump subsequently told reporters he would "love to see" a united Ireland, describing it as "one of the naturals of all time" and saying it would happen "eventually."

Connolly said Trump opened with golf before she produced a copy of the Irish constitution and walked him through her responsibilities under Article 29 on peaceful dispute resolution.

Trump's remarks drew a backlash from unionists and conservatives on both sides of the border and caused raised eyebrows in Britain.

Connolly stood by her sister's right to protest during Trump's visit, though she acknowledged she might have chosen "different words."

The TimesTrump backs a united Ireland. Can Dublin afford it?Evening StandardConnolly says Trump asked about chance of united Ireland in her lifetime Irish TimesTrump asked President Connolly if she saw Irish unity resolution during her lifetime RTE.iePresident Connolly says Trump asked about united Ireland in her lifetime - RTE.ie The JournalCatherine Connolly says Trump asked if she believed Ireland would be united during her lifetime - The Journal

Read today's full feed at The Newshound →