A weekend of activities is getting under way on Acaill, to mark the 80th anniversary of the Keel Pipe Band.
It is one of five such groups operating on the island and the national holiday marks the biggest day of the year for generations of musicians in the area.
They will gather early next Tuesday morning, to participate in the annual St Patrick's Day parade, during which members will showcase skills and musicianship, passed down over the decades.
The Keel Band was founded in 1946 and is an integral part of the cultural landscape on Acaill.
Several members have been playing with it since the 1960s, with younger recruits added on a continual basis over the years.
A pop-up museum featuring material gathered over the group’s existence forms one element of the celebrations.
A digital archive of reminiscences, songs and music has also been compiled to ensure the band’s deep links with the village are recorded for future generations.
The impact of emigration from the island has been a constant throughout - in early years, an exodus of people led to pressure on numbers but a determination to maintain a dearly held tradition kept the band going.
In turn, the participation of parents and grandparents in the group brought subsequent generations into the fold.
Islanders return from the US, Middle East, Asia
All the while, St Patrick’s Day has served as a focal point for islanders, who have made it their business to return home to their communities for 17 March.
Those with links to the band are travelling from across Ireland, the UK, America, Europe, the Middle East and Asia this weekend.
Michael O’Donnell who joined the band as a young boy said members are keenly aware of the tradition that you do not miss a St Patrick’s Day, if at all possible.
He recalls how he missed one trip home "because of foot and mouth over in England".
"We were were told that it wasn't a good thing to come home in case we'd spread it. And it was the worst Patrick's Day I ever had," Mr O'Donnell said.
"Even if I was here and not in the band, it would still be great, because I'd be listening to the music, and I'd know the tunes and love to meet the people that went out of their way to come home and to keep the tradition going."
Like many others in Keel, Mr O’Donnell said that continuum is a special thing.
"We feel we’re part of some massive ancient tradition and it’s important to keep that alive," he said.
Sarah Lavelle, who is one of the organisers of the anniversary events, is steeped in the band.
Her grandparents, parents, uncles, siblings and cousins have all been involved.
"There's something really significant and special about following in the footsteps of your ancestors," she said.
"It's everything. It encompasses who we are, where we're from and to play or to follow in the footsteps of your father, your grandfather … you know, that's special."
The sense of place that feeds into such sentiments also contributes to a healthy rivalry between other pipe bands on Acaill.
"I think the village rivalry keeps it going," said Ms Lavelle, adding "because we're so close, we're feeding off each other".
"Coming home for Patrick's Day is more important than Christmas.
"I suppose in the past, with seasonal migration, this was often the start of the time when people had to leave and go away.
"It seems to be like a very natural focal point in our year," she said.
Her brother, Damien, is one of those who has travelled back for the celebrations.
He is a drummer with the pipe band and finds himself back on safe ground having timed a break from work to coincide with the anniversary.
"I'm out in the Middle East in Abu Dhabi and I work on ships, so I actually had to manage my leave planner for this year," he said.
"I had a choice, whether I wanted to do Christmas or St Patrick's Day … it's not really a choice for me, to be honest, Christmas wouldn’t come close to this."
As well as days and nights of music and recollections between now and Tuesday, former members of the Keel Pipe Band will be honoured at a special event at the local graveyard on Monday.
"We're carrying the flame," said Sarah Lavelle.
Adding: "It's on to the next generation now and we're hoping that there'll be a few kids looking up and seeing the heroes on Tuesday, like we did when we were small and wanting to get the chanter or the drumsticks into their hands as soon as possible and keep this going for another 80 years and more."
