On September 26, 2026, Northern Ireland's loyalist Orange Order won a court appeal and was permitted to march along a largely nationalist street on September 29, 2026. The contentious parade had previously been banned but the order successfully overturned the restriction.
On September 25, Northern Ireland authorities initially approved an Orange Order Protestant march through a primarily Catholic area on Garvaghy Road for the first time in 28 years, but the plan was subsequently blocked by residents on September 28. Britain's Northern Ireland minister sought compromise on September 28 after thousands of protesters prevented the contentious parade from proceeding.
Noah Byrne, a 20-year-old Irish rugby player, has signed with Australian Rules Football club Brisbane Lions after turning down a Leinster academy contract. The move represents a rare crossover between Irish rugby and AFL.
A man who escaped from custody in Northern Ireland was arrested on 23 September 2026 in County Donegal, Ireland, and appeared in court. He was subsequently charged in connection with a murder case.
US President Donald Trump asked Irish President Catherine Connolly whether she believed Ireland would be unified during her lifetime during an official meeting on 2026-09-17. Connolly was the only Irish government member to publicly comment on Trump's visit.
On September 15, 2026, Taoiseach Micheál Martin criticized Sinn Féin's agreement with Scottish and Welsh pro-independence parties, arguing it could undermine efforts toward Irish unity. Martin called the move 'ráiméis' (nonsense) and suggested the alignment may harm the nationalist cause.
On 13–14 September 2026, US President Donald Trump publicly renewed calls for Irish reunification during a state visit to Ireland, which he linked to a trade announcement at a trophy event. Irish Prime Minister Catherine Connolly sought to downplay the remarks as diplomatic overreaction.
On 13–14 September 2026, US President Donald Trump expressed public support for Irish reunification during discussions with Irish leaders, reviving a contentious constitutional question that has divided Irish and British politics since independence in 1922. The remarks drew attention from Northern Ireland's status as part of the United Kingdom.
On 2026-09-13, President Donald Trump announced he would lift a 10-15% US tariff on Irish whiskey during the Irish Open golf tournament at his Doonbeg resort, bringing Irish whiskey to tariff parity with Scotch and Northern Irish spirits.
On 2026-09-13, President Trump announced removal of a 10-15% US tariff on Irish whiskey at the Irish Open trophy ceremony at his Doonbeg golf resort, with the tariff lift formalized by 2026-09-16.
Following Trump's September 12, 2026 endorsement of Irish unification, British politician Nigel Farage and other UK figures publicly disagreed, asserting that Northern Ireland is "a proud and integral part of the United Kingdom." Trump reiterated his position on September 14, calling unification "one of the 'naturals' of all time."
President Trump said on September 12, 2026, during a meeting with Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin in Dublin that he would like to see Ireland unified, calling it a "fantastic thing" and saying unification is "eventually inevitable." The statement departed from traditional US policy and drew criticism from UK figures including Nigel Farage.
On September 12, 2026, Donald Trump stated that Irish unification would be 'fantastic,' marking a departure from official U.S. policy of neutrality on the issue that was central to Northern Ireland's conflict until the 1998 Good Friday Agreement. Trump's comments represent the first time a sitting U.S. president has publicly advocated for unification.
During a two-day visit to Ireland in September 2026, President Donald Trump said he would "love to see" Irish reunification and claimed it "will happen eventually." His remarks sparked backlash from unionist and British politicians but praise from some Irish supporters, with Trump reiterating his position on September 13.
US President Donald Trump held meetings in Dublin with Irish leader Micheál Martin on September 12, 2026, before attending the Irish Open golf tournament in Doonbeg, County Clare. During discussions, Trump called a united Ireland 'fantastic,' prompting UK officials to reaffirm their commitment to the Good Friday Agreement.
US President Donald Trump arrived in Ireland on September 12, 2026, meeting with President and Taoiseach Micheál Martin before attending the Irish Open golf tournament in County Clare. Trump repeatedly stated his support for a unified Ireland, drawing criticism from British officials.
US President Donald Trump completed his two-day visit to Ireland on September 13, 2026, meeting with President Catherine Connolly and Taoiseach Micheál Martin, and criticized Ukraine for striking Russian diesel supplies as he claimed it harmed global energy prices.
President Donald Trump visited Ireland on September 13–14, 2026, for a state visit to Dublin and attended the Irish Open at his Doonbeg golf resort, where he met the Taoiseach and President Connolly. During the visit, Trump stated Ukraine should halt strikes on Russian oil refineries amid surging diesel prices from the Iran conflict.
Golfer Rory McIlroy said on 9 September 2026 that President Donald Trump's planned attendance at the Irish Open will create logistical challenges and alter the atmosphere at the tournament due to extensive security measures. McIlroy highlighted the practical complications posed by a presidential visit to the sporting event.
On September 8–9, 2026, the general manager of Trump International Golf Links & Hotel in Doonbeg, County Clare, Ireland, stated that gardaí (Irish police) are prepared for expected protests against the US president visiting the property.
Irish Foreign Minister Helen McEntee stated on September 2, 2026 that Ireland needs to be prepared for a potential vote on reunifying with Northern Ireland, signaling the government's readiness to advance toward a constitutional question on the island's political future.
On August 29, 2026, former British Prime Minister Gordon Brown told the Guardian that Irish reunification is inevitable in the long term, though he did not specify a timeframe. Brown, who was chancellor when the 1998 Belfast Agreement was signed, also stressed his opposition to Scottish independence.
President Donald Trump is planning to visit Ireland on 12–13 September 2026 to attend the Irish Open golf tournament at his Doonbeg golf course, with critics noting the irony given his past criticism of Barack Obama for travelling long distances to play golf.