Well we are back to school and life is returning to normal.  As I look back over this trip there are so many experiences and great moments that is hard to describe in words.  On this trip students learned new things.  I had students experience new places, try new things, and go out of their comfort zone to really experience a new culture.  I am very proud of our students.  This trip was more than worth the work and effort that it took to get there. 
Over the next week I will continue to put up pictures and video of our trip.  I am pleased to announce that there were no issues on the trip and  we were lucky to not have any lost luggage the entire time.  I want to thank the school, administration, students, student council, and community for all of the support they have given us throughout this whole journey.  All of you made this amazing experience that our students will never forget

Today was sadly our final day of touring in Ireland.  It has been an amazing adventure and one we are not ready to come to an end.  We started our day as usual with a great breakfast in the hotel.  Then we were off to the famous Blarney Castle.  This was possibly one of my favorite castles on the whole trip.  The grounds around the castle are extremely beautiful.  Blarney Castle was built around 1446, and it is one of Irelands oldest and most historic castles.  A former stronghold of the MacCarthy's this was an impressive sight.  After arriving at the castle we made our we up a very small, winding, stone staircase to the very top of the castle. There one at a time you lay on your back, lean your head back and kiss the Blarney Stone.  It was an experience.  Sadly for you back home it is said that when you kiss the Blarney Stone you get the gift of gab.  Other sights of the castle included; various gardens, a poison garden, a dungeon, and some caves.  After experiencing the castle we made our way back into town for lunch and some shopping at the Blarney Woollen Mills.  This was a chance for the students to pick up some gifts for back home, and for some to learn a lesson in budgeting.  After leaving the Blarney Castle we made our way back to Dublin.  For our final dinner in Ireland we ate at Gallagher's Boxty House.  Like all of our other meals, this did not disappoint.  All of the food has been wonderful on this trip, and I am proud of the students for trying different things and not running off to fast food places.  We ended our day at our final hotel and there will be an early bed time tonight.  Tomorrow morning we fly for Atlanta at 7:40 a.m. (3:40 a.m. est)   This has been an amazing trip and the students have done very well.  I am very proud of our Cavaliers.  It will be good to see our friends and family and we will have many great stories to tell, but it will be sad to leave this beau

Today was yet another jammed packed day of fun and learning in Ireland.  The sights that we saw and the experiences that we had were amazing.  I struggle to even describe how great they were.  We started our day with breakfast in the hotel and then off to the Cliffs of Moher.  This was amazing.  This is the rocky coast of Ireland, that at it's highest point is 700 ft. above the Atlantic Ocean.  What an amazing sight.  Be sure to check out the pictures, though they will not do it justice.  This was a very popular spot with the students.  We then moved to the Burren Region.  This is an area full of limestone.  The word Burren means "Great Rock".  This area is full of fields of stone, caves, streams, and many types of plant life.  This was another big hit with the students.  
From the Burren region we had lunch and then proceeded to an ancient stone burial sight dating back over five thousand years.  We wrapped up our day with a visit to Bunratty Castle and Folk Park.  Bunratty Castle was built in 1425.  It is surrounded by a recreated village to give the students a sense of what the Irish country life would have been like throughout history.  After having time to explore the castle and the village it was time to return to the castle for a Medieval Banquet.  Much to my surprise, the Lord and Lady of the House for the evening were myself, Mr. Sterk and Mrs. Sterk.  This was a wonderful night filled with great food, that you ate without utensils, Medieval entertainment, and fellowship with other students.  All around it was another amazing day.  Tomorrow sadly is our last day to tour Ireland.  We are having a great time and all students are doing very well.  Happy Birthday to Ben Richards, who celebrated his birthday today in Ireland.  We wrapped up the day listening to our coach driver sing "Danny Boy".  We are now all in our hotel rooms and ready for another great day tomorrow, which will include kissing the Blarney Stone.  

     It has been another great day in Ireland.  After another great breakfast we headed out of Dublin, through the center of Ireland to the Kilkenny Castle.  Kilkenny is a 12th century castle that was remolded in Victorian times by the Butler family.  Highlights of the castle included a beautiful Long Gallery and a rose garden shaped like a Celtic Cross.  From there we had lunch in Cashel and headed to the Rock of Cashel.  This was a big hit with the students.  The Rock of Cashel is the ruins of a cathedral dating back to the 12th century.  The area once belonged to the high kings of Ireland.  The students had time to explore the rock and see many sights including St. Patrick's Cross and the Cormac Chapel.  This was a great experience and one of many highlights of the trip.  

Well we are back in our rooms and all of the students have been checked in for the night.  Tonight we had another wonderful dinner of traditional Irish food at Abbey Tavern.  This was a wonderful place with a lot of Irish character.  We rode the train to the tavern and enjoy the time to eat and relax as a group.  The Tavern also provided entertainment in the form of traditional Irish music and dancing.  It was wonderful.  Several of our students, and Mr. Harrington were invited on stage to participate in a traditional Irish dance.  Later we were waltzing to an Irish waltz.  What a way to cap off an almost overwhelming day.  I can not say enough about the experience of this parade.  The Tri-County Marching Cavaliers have now performed for the world alongside of bands of over three hundred our more.  The kids did a great job and I think all are really enjoying themselves.  

Well the parade is now complete and what an experience it was.  The streets of Dublin were packed with people to watch the parade.  There were people climbing trees, hanging out windows, and hanging off of light post just to get a better view. It was full have vibrant colors, music, dancing, and floats with various types of performers.  As with any parade we had a long staging time and it rained on us just a little.  By the time we took the street for the parade the sun came out and we had wonderful weather for the remainder of the parade.  Along the parade route I had to privilege to look out into the crowd and see the spectators.  People were very friendly and many shouted, "Welcome to Ireland".  It was a lot of fun for us as the adults in the parade to wave and high five the children dressed up for the parade along the route.  This was a wonderful experience for the students and one I am sure they will not forget.  Along with the half a million people in the crowd and all the people watching online, the students performed today for the president of Ireland.  We are now back to the hotel and cleaning up before we take the train out to Abby Tavern for a traditional Irish dinner. 

We have completed our first day in Ireland with a wonderful dinner here at our hotel.  The students were served a great meal.  The dinner was served in courses and took just over an hour and a half to complete.  It was great to see the students relax and unwind.  It was a wonderful time to enjoy great food and talk about our new experiences.  The students are now in bed and should be resting for their performance tomorrow.  Pictures will be coming soon.

The Tri-County Marching Cavaliers have made it to Dublin Ireland.  It has been a busy but great first day.  After landing this morning we were off to see the sights of Dublin.  We started with a tour of the Dublinia exhibit and learned about the viking history of Ireland.  We then went to the St. Patrick's Cathedral.  What an amazing sight.  The cathedral dates back to 1191.  After touring the cathedral we were off to Trinity College to see the Book of Kells.  The long room at Trinity College is an impress awe inspiring library fill with very old books.  The students were able to learn more about the history of Ireland.  Afternoon was concluded with lunch on Grafton street and some to to check out the city and shop.   It has been an amazing experience so far and we are not even through the first day.  We are now settling into our hotel and preparing to have dinner.  Tonight will be spent at the hotel resting for the big performance tomorrow.  There is already so much that has happened that I can't even get all of my thoughts down right now.  

Well we are on our way to Ireland.  After all the wait we are finally off.  The day started with a wonderful pep session put on by the student council.  It was a great event.  It means a lot to the band students to have the support of their school, peers, and community.  We are excited to be on our way.  We are currently sitting at the gate at JFK in New York waiting to board our flight to Ireland.  We depart New York at  9:40 p.m.  and we arrive in Dublin at 

The clock is ticking.  Bags are already being backed, and there is a growing excitement in the air.  We have been working on and planning this trip for over a year now, and we are ten days away from leaving.  I am currently going through all of the last minute details of the trip and the students are working hard to prepare their music for the parade.  This will be an amazing trip and I am so happy that our students will have this opportunity.  I will continue to blog throughout the trip.  I will also post some videos and pictures to try and share as much of our journey as possible.  I am so thankful for the support of the school and community that has made this trip possible.  We would not be going without you.  Please check back during our trip for updates from Ireland.