Donald Trump meets pupils at golf club in Doonbeg

Donald Trump met with staff and pupils from Clohanes National School in County Clare

A group of schoolchildren met US President Donald Trump as he played a round of golf in the Republic of Ireland.

Mr Trump was playing 18 holes at Trump International in Doonbeg, County Clare.

Clohanes National School principal Aideen O'Mahony said it was a "very exciting" morning for both pupils and staff.

Mr Trump has now left the Republic of Ireland following his visit.

Ms O'Mahony said the two-teacher school is based in the restricted security area around the Doonbeg hotel.

It meant the children had to get passes to come to school this week.

The US president has now left the Republic of Ireland

"It wasn't planned, we are the nearest school to the golf course", Ms O'Mahony told BBC News NI.

"We heard that he was playing the full 18 holes so we decided to get the children into the cars and up to the green beside the course."

She added: "We saw him coming up the fairway, he waved to the children and they were delighted to get a wave from him."

Marine One sits on the grass at the Trump International golf resort in Doonbeg

The school children sang a verse of My Lovely Rose of Clare for Mr Trump, before he went down to meet them all.

One pupil said that Mr Trump asked the class whether there were any future presidents there and whether or not they liked golf.

Mr Trump played 18 holes at Doonbeg

The US president spent two nights at the golf resort, which he owns.

On Wednesday, hundreds of people turned out in the village of Doonbeg to welcome him to the country's west coast.

While the president made no appearances that were open to the Irish public, his sons toured the pubs in Doonbeg, buying drinks for almost everyone in the village.

Meanwhile in Dublin on Thursday, thousands took to the streets to protest against his visit.

Organisers said the protest was designed to show solidarity with those "damaged" by President Trump's policies.