There are some spots open for those wishing to join the ULM Band Department’s trip to Ireland in March 2009. These spots will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis with a $200 deposit required to secure a spot.

The ULM Band has been invited to participate in the activities surrounding St. Patrick’s Day in 2009—including the over 1,000-year-old St. Patrick’s Day Parade in downtown Dublin.

The trip will begin Thursday, March 12, 2009, with an afternoon departure from Dallas and ends with a return to Dallas Thursday, March 19, 2009.

In addition to the parade, travelers will be treated to some of the ageless attractions of Ireland, which may include the Cliffs of Mohr, Bunratty Castle and village, Waterford, Galway, Cork, the Rock of Cashel, King John’s Castle, Kilmainham Jail, Trinity College, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, and St. Michan’s Church. One of the main attractions of a visit to Ireland is the friendly and welcoming Irish people who absolutely love to see American bands in their parade.

The trip cost is projected at $1,999, which includes airfare, ground transportation, professional Irish bus drivers and guides, all sightseeing tours, six nights accommodation in first class/superior tourist class hotels (double occupancy), five full Irish breakfasts, three evening dinners at the hotel, a one-night stay in London following the Irish portion of the trip, one continental breakfast in London, porterage of one bag per person at hotels, and all local service charges, taxes, and gratuities, except gratuities to drivers and guides. There is an additional cost for travelers who desire single occupancy in the hotels. The exact final price for the trip will be determined once deposits are made and airline seats are booked.

Opportunities for participating in this once-in-a-lifetime trip will be offered first to current band members, alumni band members, interested members of the ULM community, and then interested members from the Monroe/West Monroe and surrounding communities. The total traveling party will be approximately 125 people.

For more information on this trip or to inquire about becoming a member of the traveling party, contact Derle Long at (318) 342-1594 or via email at long@ulm.edu. The trip information is available at www.ulm.edu/music.