Doonbeg’s interests in the US Presidential campaign have increased with the confirmation of Donald Trump’s running partner.
As is well known the New York billionaire is the owner of the Trump International Golf Links and Hotel Ireland situated at Doughmore Bay in the West Clare village which employs more than two hundred individuals.
However it is his new running mate and potential Vice President of the United States of America, Mike Pence who has relatives hailing from Doonbeg. He is the fiftieth Governor of Indiana.
Pence is also the great-grandchild of James Maloney and Mary Anne Downes who emigrated from Doonbeg in the 1890s. James was the son of Michael Moloney and Anne Carney while Mary Anne was the daughter of John and Eliza Downes.
In August 2013 the fifty seven year old along with his wife Karen and children paid their most recent visit to the Banner County and stayed in Doonbeg.
A member of the Republican Party, Mike was tipped as a possible Presidential candidate himself in 2008 and 2012. He used the host his own radio talk show on Rushville station, WIFE-FM.
He was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2000 and contested the leadership for the Republican Party in 2006 losing out to John Boehner. Pence is the former Republican Conference Chairman which is the third highest ranking position in the party. He has been Governor of Indiana since January 2013.