I’m thrilled to share some exciting news: America’s greatest Irish dance show, Celtic Throne: Mystery of Ireland, is returning to Israel! The four-city, seven-show tour runs November 4-19 and includes a performance in Jerusalem. (Click here for tickets.)
Now, I know what you’re thinking: Why is an archaeology institute telling me about an Irish dance show?
Fair question. Here’s the answer: Celtic Throne is produced by Herbert W. Armstrong College, the same college that supports the Armstrong Institute of Biblical Archaeology (aiba) and our excavations on the Ophel. Yes, it’s an unlikely pairing! But what can we say? We love Irish dance and biblical archaeology! In fact, many Celtic Throne dancers are also diggers and have excavated in Jerusalem! The Celtic Throne family has been intimately involved in uncovering the heritage of the Jewish people and supporting the work of aiba.
In summer 2025, Celtic Throne became the first major international show to tour Israel since Oct. 7, 2023. The troupe, which includes children and teenagers, didn’t come despite the war in Gaza. It came because of it. At a time when much of the world was turning its back on Israel, Celtic Throne turned up.
Then came the plot twist. Just hours after their performance in Haifa, the Twelve-Day War began and Iran launched waves of ballistic missiles at Israel. The cast and crew went to bed after a triumphant show and woke up in a war zone! The remaining shows were canceled, and with Israeli airspace closed, the whole company made a hasty exodus overland to Egypt and finally flew home from Sharm el-Sheikh. It wasn’t exactly the tour finale we planned!
But the story doesn’t end there. Celtic Throne: Mystery of Ireland is returning to Israel to finish what it started! Why? Because we love Israel and the people of Israel. That is why for over 60 years we have been working within Israel on various cultural projects. You’re well aware, I’m sure, of the “iron bridge” partnership we have with Hebrew University in our archaeological excavations.
There was more to that iron bridge partnership than just archaeology, however. In addition to supporting archaeology, this partnership, established by our namesake Herbert W. Armstrong, had a second goal. That goal was to bring the children of Jerusalem—Jew, Muslim and others—together to learn the way of peace. To further that goal, Mr. Armstrong’s Ambassador International Cultural Foundation supported Jerusalem’s International Cultural Center for Youth (iccy).
The iccy was founded by Israeli Tourism Minister Moshe Kol in 1960. Mr. Armstrong began supporting the iccy in 1968. He saw great value in Mr. Kol’s dream of seeing children of all nations and ethnicities living and playing and growing together in the way of peace. And Mr. Kol, for his part, saw the connection between Mr. Armstrong’s life’s work and the youth center.
Much like Celtic Throne, a key part of the iccy revolved around dancing and music. In 1984, Moshe Kol wrote: “In addition to the after-school activity programs in the main Jerusalem center, folk dancing and folklore programs keep the building open until close to midnight. Each year thousands of local and foreign visitors attend the entertaining and cultural programs featuring Yemenite ethnic dances, Arab drumming, Israeli folk dances and community singing.”
We have a legacy of supporting, not just archaeology, but also music, dancing and peace within Israel.
Mr. Armstrong’s contributions did not go unnoticed by those who sat in the gates of Jerusalem. In fact, following his first meeting in the Knesset in 1968, Mr. Armstrong was welcomed by every prime minister and president of Israel for the rest of his life. These meetings and relationships went deeper than a simple handshake and photo opportunity. Israeli leaders valued the work, the counsel and the friendship of Herbert Armstrong.
And so too today, the families of Celtic Throne value the relationships and legacy we have established within Israel. After many years of this “iron bridge” partnership, we are excited to share this show with the people and cities of Israel.
