Donald Trump tells UK to open up North Sea oil and gas fields as he lands in Ireland for political meetings and golf

US President Donald Trump has arrived at Dublin Airport ahead of a two-day visit to Ireland.

His trip will include meetings with Irish President Catherine Connolly and Taoiseach Micheál Martin, and has been described as one of the biggest security operations ever implemented by the Irish police service.

Mr Trump will take part in engagements in the Irish capital Dublin as well as at his golf resort in Doonbeg, Co Clare, which is hosting the Irish Open - but not the visit has sparked backlash among many residents with protests planned.

As Air Force One touched down on Irish soil early on Saturday, dozens of police officers and security force personnel were seen preparing for the President to disembark and enter a waiting motorcade. 

As he stepped out of the jet and onto a waiting red carpet, Mr Trump was greeted by Ireland's Finance Minister Simon Harris.

Irish premier Micheál Martin said he looks forward to welcoming Mr Trump to Ireland and 'discussing the many issues of mutual interest and reaffirming the strong economic, cultural and people-to-people ties between Ireland and the United States'.

'His visit comes during a remarkable sporting summer for Ireland, and the United States and this weekend's Irish Open at Trump International Doonbeg will be a fitting conclusion to an outstanding season of sport, and I hope we will see an Irish winner lifting the trophy on Sunday,' he added.

Mr Trump is also expected to meet President Catherine Connolly, a longstanding critic of the US president, at her official residence Áras an Uachtaráin in Dublin's Phoenix Park, before a nearby engagement with Mr Martin, the Taoiseach, at the Farmleigh Estate.

Former Irish premiers Bertie Ahern and Enda Kenny were among hundreds of guests arriving at the residence of the US ambassador to Ireland, Edward Walsh, ahead of Mr Trump’s arrival.

Prominent business leaders, including Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary, and entertainer Michael Flatley, were also among those expected to attend as Mr Trump will make a speech in a marquee set up in the grounds of the historic property at Deerfield in Phoenix Park, which is decked out with American flags.

US President Donald Trump is greeted by Ireland's Finance Minister Simon Harris at Dublin Airport on Saturday morning

Mr Trump and his entourage exit Air Force One at the start of their two-day trip to Ireland

The President was greeted by a group of officials and disembarked from Air Force One accompanied by security personnel

The President salutes as he is greeted at Dublin Airport by officials and the military

Mr Trump will take part in engagements in the Irish capital Dublin as well as at his golf resort in Doonbeg, Co Clare, which is hosting the Irish Open

Air Force One comes in to land at Dublin Airport for the start of Mr Trump's trip to Ireland

A police motorcade is seen at Dublin Airport as the country prepares to welcome the US President for a two-day visit

Security and cars at Dublin Airport ahead of the arrival of US President Donald Trump on Air Force One

Sound checks have included the playing of some of Mr Trump’s favourite songs, including the Village People’s YMCA, and his traditional walk-out song God Bless The USA by Lee Greenwood.

He will also attend a series of events at Deerfield, the residence of the US Ambassador to Ireland.

A number of protests against Mr Trump's visit have been planned.

Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly said peaceful protest would be facilitated as much as possible, but there will be 'no tolerance' for public disorder or attempts to impact 'critical movements' of the US president.

'We have robust policing plans in place and will arrest and prosecute those committing offences,' he said, adding that water cannon will be 'on standby' but said he hoped they would not be needed.

The visit is being hotly opposed by some Dubliners, and a massive security operation is underway.

Police put up a cordon around Dublin's Phoenix Park, where he'll meet Mr Martin, the taoiseach, at the government's Farmleigh state guesthouse.

But residents expressed annoyance over the disruption.

'He's causing mayhem in this city because he wants to go down to Doonbeg and play golf,' said taxi driver Christopher Fox, emphatically not a fan of Mr Trump. 'The world's in turmoil and this fella's down playing golf.'

University student Mina Petrovski said Mr Trump's 'attitudes towards women, towards immigrants, towards minority communities in general are abhorrent.' She said it's 'shameful that the Irish government is welcoming him with open arms.'

The trip comes after Mr Martin invited Mr Trump to visit Ireland when they met at the White House on St. Patrick's Day this year.

Ireland's political leaders will see the visit as a chance to maintain warm trans-Atlantic relations despite differences over trade and foreign policy, issues the White House said Mr Trump wants to discuss.