Thousands of protesters have taken to the streets of Dublin in opposition to US President Donald Trump’s visit to Ireland.

The protest rally on Thursday featured the Trump Baby inflatable blimp which has become a staple of rallies against the US president.

The six-meter high balloon was hoisted over the Garden of Remembrance where an estimated 5,000 protesters had gathered.

The rain-soaked protesters then marched down Dublin’s main thoroughfare of O’Connell Street before looping back around past the General Post Office. 

The protest rally was organized by the “Stop Trump Ireland” umbrella group representing more than 50 organizations and political parties including the Green Party, Sinn Féin, the Social Democrats, People Before Profit, and Solidarity. 

Some protesters then went on to gather at a “peace camp” outside of Shannon Airport.

I cannot put my finger on what is the worst thing about this man, said Mairin de Burca, one of the oldest protesters, at 81 years of age.

Dragging children away from their parents at the border, maybe that’s the worst thing, she said, referring to a Trump administration policy of separating children from parents who had illegally crossed the US-Mexico border.

The US president, who arrived in Ireland on Wednesday and leaves on Friday, spent two nights in a row at a golf resort owned by Trump in Doonbeg, Co Clare.

Trump had traveled to France for D-Day commemorations early on Thursday before returning to Ireland.

Trump’s visit to Ireland came after an official 3-day trip to the UK which was marred by protest rallies against him. 

Trump met with more protests in Portsmouth

On the last day of Trump’s 3-day state visit to the UK, the president caused yet more controversy as he attended WW2 remembrance day service in the Naval town of Portsmouth.

The anti-Trump protest launched against Trump was in sharp contrast with the warm welcome received eight years ago by then US President Barack Obama .