Jen’s Blog Article:
High School Band Trip to Ireland
by Jennifer Pierotti
It was November 2005, and I was an excited high school senior on my way to a friend’s house to celebrate my birthday. My friends could barely contain themselves as I opened my gifts one by one. With every package, my excitement grew; everything was green or somehow tied to Ireland. By the end, I was fully outfitted with the perfect swag for the journey I’d be embarking on in just four months.
We were all going: my friends, my high school band, and our band director–turned–tour guide, David McGuffin. We were headed to Ireland. And not just any visit, we would be marching in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade on St. Patrick’s Day. To say we were excited would be a massive understatement.
As a high school band, we were used to performing at football games and competitions, but the St. Patrick’s Day Parade was something entirely different. There was a deep sense of pride as we marched through a country that wasn’t our own, holding a banner that represented who we were, playing our instruments loud and proud. Taking it all in, the crowd, the streets, the sheer magnitude of what we were part of was an unforgettable experience.
While the parade was certainly the highlight of the trip, many other moments have stayed with me. One of them was our exploration of Glendalough. The gravestones, ancient stone structures, rock wall fences, lakes, and endless stretches of grass and trees felt almost otherworldly. One particular rock was claimed by the group, unofficially crowned the trip’s mascot, and painstakingly carried home by one very determined (and slightly sulking) bandmate.
Dublin City itself is another standout in my memory. It’s where I bought my first claddagh ring in a small shop in the square. I remember sweet tulip gifts from the boys, an old Irish woman selling shamrocks, and the ever-present figure of Molly Malone and her cockles and mussels.
And then there was Wales specifically, climbing to the top of a tower in Conwy Castle. How many people can say they’ve stood inside a legitimate castle? As high school seniors, we truly felt on top of the world. Most of us had never been out of the country before, and this trip set the bar impossibly high for a first experience. The pub dinners, the hostel pranks, and the countless Magnum bars we consumed still bring a big, warm smile to my face.
Now, at 39, with a husband and two kids of my own, life has come full circle. I get to work for my former band director and tour guide, and it’s surreal to reflect on those memories from 21 years ago. Ireland will forever hold a special place in my heart, and being able to reminisce and share those memories with so many of the same friends makes it all the more meaningful.
David McGuffin Tour Reviews and Testimonials
David has planned and led tours in Europe for more than 25 years. Thousands of happy and satisfied tour alumni have submitted honest and unedited comments about their tour experiences. Here are a few recent additions for our Fall 2025 season.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Nov 12, 2025 by Kathy – Ponte Vedra Beach, FL
The Villa Tour was Lovely!
Thank you so much for such a lovely trip! I certainly enjoyed your guidance and care. The manner of care that you and Charlotte gave us was outstanding in every way. I, especially, appreciated your patience in my being so slow and tiring easily. After having fallen the week before the trip, I was so nervous that I would fall again.
The tours on our day trips to Florence and the other small towns gave such a wonderful insight into the history and culture of Italy.
My favorite place was Marcampo and meeting Claudia and her mom. The cooking class and the evening wine sharing were a highlight. Volterra had so much history I’ve never heard before.
The views were so dramatic. Your selection of good restaurants took the worry out of finding a decent place to eat which all of my meals were excellent.
Your sharing somewhere special to you made the whole experience a lifetime event for me. I felt like family. You both are so very special in just being you!! Thanking you again for such a unique experience!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Nov 1, 2025 by Robert Lewes, DE
Wonderful Tour Guide/Driver
First, I would like to say that the Best of Ireland 12-day tour we took from October 12-24, 2025, was really fantastic. The itinerary was perfect for the opportunity to see all the “must see” sights in Ireland. The start of the tour in Belfast is a wise choice; it gave us the opportunity to end the trip in Dublin after seeing to country which gave a better perspective of the history of the island.
The hotels were perfect in that they were located in the cities which made it possible to explore around the towns then have dinner and drinks.
Finally, and most important, our tour guide and driver, David Grey, was absolutely wonderful.
I cannot say enough kind words and accolades about David. The tour would not have been as memorable without his sense of humor, great insights and his general caring of us as guests in his country.
It was an honor and a privilege to get to know David. David took the time to get to know all his guests and would ask us what our interests and needs were.
David also stopped at a few places not on the itinerary which allowed us a better insight into the country. It was great to see the bridge from the John Wayne movie, The Quiet Man, and visiting St. Brigid’s Well in Liscannor was memorable.
I mentioned to David in passing how I would like to try some poteen after having a drink in Kilkenny. David went out of his way to obtain some local poteen for all the tour guests to have a toast after our memorable Italian dinner. It was one of the highlights of our trip.
Read many more Testimonials and Reviews on our website. And, you can write your own McGuffin Tour testimonial, here as well!
Tour Highlights:
Germany, Austria, & Switzerland
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Discount valid through 3/10/2026
12 Days
June 15th – 26th
September 14th – 25th
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Explore the grand imperial city of Vienna, famous for castles, kings, music, and cuisine. Then, you’ll have two relaxing days in Salzburg’s famous city center. A visit to…
Best of Ireland, Scotland, & Wales
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18 Days
June 10th – 27th
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This tour kicks off in Galway, where you’ll get a solid introduction to Irish history, culture, and charm. Then we will head out into the countryside to experience three distinct regions. You’ll visit ancient monastic sites, fairy forts, geological wonders, and…
Taste of Ireland
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8 Days
June 10th – 17th
July 8th – 15th
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SHORT ON TIME, BUT STILL WANT TO EXPERIENCE IRELAND? Then this tour is for you! Ireland is the land of forty shades of green, all the sheep you’ll ever want to count, and a warm welcome on every doorstep! It is a mystical place, full of…
Best of Ireland
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12 Days
June 6th – 17th
July 4th – 15th
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Ireland is the land of forty shades of green, all the sheep you’ll ever want to count, and a warm welcome on every doorstep! It is a mystical place, full of fairy forts, stone circles, ancient passage tombs, and…
Best of Ireland & Scotland
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Discount valid through 4/1/2026
14 Days
June 10th – 23rd
July 8th – 21st
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DAVID HAS DESIGNED THIS TRAVEL EXPERIENCE TO PAIR HIS TASTE OF IRELAND AND BEST OF SCOTLAND ITINERARIES. This tour kicks off in Galway, where you’ll get a solid introduction to Irish…
- One game-changing travel hint or hack (like the credit card perk that got me a free hotel night in Paris)
- One destination deep-dive with my inside information, guidebooks, and websites links.
- One behind-the-scenes peek at how I discover Europe’s best-kept secrets
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As a valued friend and traveler, I invite you to visit with us at booth at any of these shows and claim a $100 discount off any of our 2026 or 2027 Exploring Europe tours, for new enrollments. This is a Travel and Adventure Show promotion, so you must be present to claim the discounts. We hope to see you there!