IRELAND 2026

 

MARCHING ILLINI TRIP TO IRELAND | MARCH 2022

We are pleased to announce that the Marching Illini has been invited to the beautiful country of Ireland for the 9th time in university history. The Marching Illini was the first collegiate marching band to be invited to participate in the St. Patrick’s Day festivities back in 1992.

Below you will find information pertaining to this trip. Please carefully read through each piece of information if you are planning to attend. This trip is not required although we hope that all members have the opportunity to attend. This is truly an experience of a lifetime that cannot be duplicated on a personal vacation or trip.

 

IRELAND ANNOUNCEMENTS

  • Scroll down to the bottom of the page and view Marching Illini Trip Information
  • If you are not riding the bus to or from O’Hare, contact Professor Houser by Tuesday 11:59pm
    • If your attendance # is GREEN, you are not traveling from Champaign to O’Hare
    • If your section is GREEN, you are not traveling from O’Hare back to Champaign
  • Don’t forget your Passport – make a copy and take a picture of it 
  • COVID Vaccination records – be sure to have all documentation you need to show proof for our return to the US
  • Call your bank and or credit card companies to let them know about our international travel dates
  • Call your cell phone carrier if you want to use an international plan while in Ireland or plan on using the wi-fi at our hotel and other destinations
  • Power adaptor voltage convertors – you need one for anything you plan to plug in – phone chargers, etc
  • Hairdryers are located in each hotel room
  • Masks must be worn on the airplane and should be worn on buses to Chicago, while in Ireland, etc
  • Memorize your bus attendance number for quick attendance
  • Be sure to review all luggage expectations
  • Make sure you have the following Ireland Merch:
    • 1 passport wallet provided
    • 2 BRT luggage tags
    • 2 customized Ireland luggage tags with green connectors
    • 1 Ireland Quarter Zip
    • 1 Green Ireland T-shirt
  • If you received an email from [email protected] – you have been enlisted with the required university insurance – if not, your application has not been reviewed or submitted
  • If you are meeting us in Chicago, it is your responsibility to communicate with someone to take care of your instrument/uniform/and other items needed for the trip. If you are leaving campus before Saturday, it is MOST ideal for YOU to get your own instrument/equipment/uniform. The more YOU are responsible for your items, the better. 
  • If you are not traveling back to Champaign upon our return from Ireland, communicate with someone to coordinate your instrument/equipment return as well as your uniform. The buses will be outside of baggage claim in O’Hare. Help your friend load your STUFF on your designated bus. They can’t do this alone
  • All items must be checked back in upon our return to HBB on March 18th. Instruments and Uniforms will be turned over for #band154 as soon as possible.

COVID GUIDELINES & PROTOCOLS – 3/09/2022

  • The University of Illinois REQUIRES each student to purchase university insurance for international travel
  • This insurance is focused on health and not cancel for any reason (CFAR)
  • This required international insurance is an additional $75
  • COVID-19 Updates and Guidelines from the US Embassy in Ireland
      • In short, no one will need to show proof of vaccination or a negative test to enter Ireland
      • HOWEVER, ALL airline passengers traveling back TO THE United States 2 years and older, regardless of vaccination status or citizenship, must provide a negative COVID-19 viral test taken within one calendar day of travel.  Travelers to the United States may provide documentation from a licensed health care provider of having recovered from COVID-19 in the 90 days preceding travel
      • Our test will be provided at the hotel one day before we depart
      • If anyone tests positive, we will activate our plan for those students/staff testing positive 

 

REGISTRATION FOR MARCHING ILLINI MEMBERS ONLY

 

REGISTRATION FOR FAM-ILL-Y, ALUMNI, FRIENDS & FANS 

For those that are friends, alums or family members of the Marching Illini, we have a special side trip for those that wish to join the Marching Illini in March of 2022.

 

IMPORTANT DATES FOR MARCHING ILLINI STUDENTS 

  • Online Payment System Registration Deadline & Signed BRT Tour Agreement – March 25, 2021
  • Deposit – April 1, 2021
  • Optional Travel Protection from Bob Rogers Travel must be purchased within 14 days of your deposit
  • Second Payment – June 1, 2021
  • Third Payment – August 2, 2021
  • Fourth Payment – October 1, 2021
  • Fifth Payment – December 1, 2021
  • Deadline to Register for the Ireland Trip – December 17, 2021
  • Final Balance Payment – January 14, 2022

 

MARCHING ILLINI TRIP INFORMATION

 

FAMILY & FRIENDS TRIP INFORMATION