Christmas show features champion Irish dancers

The Irish Christmas show that earned five stars in New York comes to Montana. 

"A Celtic Christmas by A Taste of Ireland," featuring electrifying turns by a star-studded roster of World Champion Irish dancers, including stars of Riverdance and Lord of the Dance, performs at Wachholz College Center in Kalispell on Saturday, Nov. 14, at 3:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. as part of its acclaimed international tour. 

This yuletide extravaganza offers a memorable blend of storytelling, live music, breathtaking dancing, and Irish warmth that invites all ages to join in the spirit of “Nollaig Shona” (Happy Christmas).

In "A Celtic Christmas," the curtain rises on a cozy Irish pub at Christmas, where a band strikes up and from the first pint, the audience becomes part of the party. 

The dance floor explodes as World Champion dancers tear through reels and jigs with an all-star ensemble that “taps with thunderous precision,” offering up a joyful production that “brims with music and mirth” (Theater Pizzazz). 

Live tap battles ensue, crooners give voice to the great Irish pub ballads, and lighthearted comedy gives way to an Irish sing-along that turns a theatre full of strangers into one enormous Christmas revel. 

At the heart of this festive treat is a love story between a humble lad from Tyrone and a spirited young woman from a wealthy Athenry family, whose chance meeting under the mistletoe turns into a star-crossed romance beset by trials. All ends well during a lavish Christmas ball, where the lovers reunite in a dramatic finale that captures the joy of the holiday season.  

The cast features World Champions Mary Conway and Clara Sheppard and six-time World Champion Barry Teague, alongside a full company of champion Irish dancers, singers, and a live band. 

“Most Christmas shows ask you to sit back and watch. Ours pulls up a stool for you at the bar,” said Director and Producer Brent Pace. “We bring forward World Champion dancers at the height of their talents, with all the excitement of live taps, the charm of great pub ballads, some laughs, and a love story. And by the end, the whole theatre is singing. We took this company to the West End and to New York, and now audiences will see what people around the world are raving about.” 

A Taste of Ireland is an international Irish dance company produced by Pace Live. In 2025, the company toured six countries worldwide. 

Tickets are available at wachholzcollegecenter.org.