Well, I got a chance to call Ermal today, and he seems to be doing fine in Branson, Missouri. He has a new act going with "America's Yodeling Sweetheart" (Paula Cravens) (HERE'S a link for more info about the show).
When asked about the trip to Cong, Ireland in 2007, Ermal said it's still a go, and he has 35 people lined up to go so far. He will have more information on his web site, http://www.ermal.com soon. As soon as we learn anything, we'll report here.
Chester 
The 2007 trip to Ireland, to commemorate the Duke's 100th birthday, was originally proposed by Ermal two years ago, as a Duke's Hollywood Cowboy event. Since then, Ermal has disbanded the DHC, so I don't really know what is happening in that regard now. I think some of those folks are still hoping to make that trip in 2007. I know we've discussed it a few times in the past couple of years on this message board, but I think that's as official as it may be at this point in time.
I'll try to get in touch with Ermal and update that. For someone to organize such an event would take an awful lot of energy, time, and sharing the load with other folks.
Chester
Going back to Expedia, the prices for flying into Las Vegas were a little cheaper from Sydney, more expensive from the other locations (anywhere from $60 to $300 more).
Driving distance from Las Vegas to Monument Valley is 400 miles, from Phoeniz to Monument Valley is 317 miles.
For us "locals" the trip from our home to Monument Valley via Las Vegas would be 200 miles less than through Phoenix. The reason I mention that is that if folks were all flying in around the same time, perhaps we could pick up and drive y'all the rest of the way (we have 2 8-passenger vans; if the Mrs. and I both drive, we could transport a small crowd). Of course, if fuel costs keep on going like they have, we might have to rethink driving two vans at 15 miles per gallon 
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Anyway, just brainstorming here, not making any hard commitments . . . 
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Chester
QuoteDisplay MoreOriginally posted by Robbie@Apr 21 2005, 07:30 AM
On a rough estimate how much would a trip from Northern Ireland to monument valley in 2007 cost.
I would favour going to Cong as its closer but I do want to see Monument valley it is a dream that I hope will come true some day.
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We did a quick search on Expedia.com, and the price from Belfast to Phoenix, Arizona was around $2000. From London (Heathrow) to Phoenix was as low as $860. From Belfast to London is $300, so I think it would be cheaper to fly to London and then to the US. From Geneva, Switzerland, the fare to Phoenix is around $1,100 (don't know your closest airport, itdo, so we just picked that one). From Sydney, Australia to Phoenix is around $1,700 per ticket (we know you'd need two, smokey ). I don't know if Phoenix is the closest major airport to Monument Valley, it's just the one we picked.
It's late here, so I think this is as far as we'll go with this one . . . tonight 
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Chester and the Mrs. 
