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Youngsville eyes are smiling.
Youngsville High School Band Director Cindy Scheid approached the school board on Monday with a request to return her group to Ireland.
That request was given a positive response and the band will be performing overseas between March 14 and 21, 2024.
It will be the band's fifth trip to Ireland, with previous visits in 2003, 2008, 2013, and 2018.
It will be a busy week for the Marching Eagles. They will compete in the Limerick International Band Competition, and will march in the St. Patrick's Day Parade in Dublin, with an expected attendance of about 1.5 million people. They are also expecting to perform inside St. Patrick's Cathedral and could play at an elite private school.
The last time the band went to Ireland, they got more than they bargained for.
Severe weather in New Jersey delayed their flight home.
"The last time you were there we had to call (Congressman) Glenn Thompson's office to get you back," Superintendent Amy Stewart said to Scheid.
The band took the extra day overseas in stride and the travel agent from Atlantic Group Tours handling the arrangements made sure the extra day was not a boring one, with activities and even an additional performance. "Everything was taken care of," Scheid said.
With the help of Thompson's office, a special flight was arranged for Americans stranded in Dublin the next day.
The board unanimously approved the 2024 trip.