Snail Stalls Trump's Irish Ballroom Plans

Donald Trump's golf resort in Doonbeg, Ireland, faces delays in its plan to construct a 320-seat ballroom due to the presence of the near-threatened narrow-mouthed whorl snail. This tiny species, found in marshy grasslands, has become a focus for Irish environmentalists. The Friends of the Irish Environment (FIE) has been instrumental in advocating for the snail's conservation, leading to the requirement that Trump International Doonbeg must present a conservation and monitoring plan before commencing any building work.

This situation echoes past environmental conflicts at the Doonbeg site. Previously, the golf course's construction in 2002 was complicated by the protected snails inhabiting the dunes. More recently, in 2016, Donald Trump's attempt to build a protective beach wall at Doughmore beach was rejected following opposition from environmentalists and locals. The current ballroom project, which includes moving existing facilities, adding new roads, and various amenities, is slated to host the Irish Open this September, adding urgency to the conservation requirements.