Donald Trump dares to speak truths that would be very popular in Ireland

So should we offer a Cead Mile Failte to Donald Trump, or build a wall to keep him out – and make him pay for it?

Many people in the media here in Ireland have been observing the Trump phenomenon in the U.S. with a mixture of bemusement and disgust. ' How can Americans be so gullible?', the Irish commentariat ask.

The truth is, however, that an Irish version of Trump would probably do very well here.

If an Irish politician had the guts to offer the same kind of populist, simplistic solutions to the complex problems we face, the likelihood is that he or she would hoover up support just like Trump is doing.

Just as in the U.S., many people here are fed up with career politicians, with the established system and the way it is mired in political correctness and constrained by an inability to take decisive action on just about anything.

Last week's news that Trump is coming here at the end of the month caused consternation in some sections of the Irish media. The Donald will be making a flying visit to us, but the alarm in the media here is unlikely to be reflected in the reception he will get among ordinary people.

Read more: Massive protests planned against Trump during his Irish visit

That will be particularly true around Doonbeg in Co. Clare where Trump has invested heavily in the golf course resort he owns there, giving jobs to many local people.

The usual collection of loony lefties are already making plans to demonstrate and disrupt his visit. If anything, their protests are likely to annoy people here rather than be supported by them – and they certainly won't bother Trump. He's used to it, as we have seen recently.

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