Every Monday night, musicians gather from all corners of the metro Atlanta area to play traditional Irish tunes at Fadó Irish Pub and Restaurant.

With the sounds of fiddles, pipes and drums filling the room with jigs and reels, patrons can be transported to Ireland without leaving Buckhead.

This weekly ritual is one of the many projects of the Buckhead-based Irish Music Traditions.

While most people think of St. Patrick’s Day as the ideal time to don green and celebrate the spirit of the Emerald Isle, the members of this group keep the festivities going all year long.

“By definition our members love Irish culture,” said chair Jim Alexander of the group, which started in 1998. “It’s a universal appeal. Most of our members have Irish roots, but we welcome everyone.”

The group is a chapter of the Comhaltas Ceoltóiri Eireann, an international organization founded in Ireland in 1951 to preserve that country’s traditional music and culture.

In addition to sponsoring weekly music sessions around metro Atlanta, the group of about 60 members brings out-of-town bands to the area, hosts Irish literature meetings, throws large parties called Ceilis with food and dancing and supports other Irish groups and activities.

“We also teach dance and music for anyone who wants to learn,” said Alexander.

Although the members came together through various fascinations of the culture including the language and heritage, the music sessions are a favorite to many group members.

“I love the camaraderie and the community,” said musician Kim Barnes of Norcross, who frequently plays fiddle at Fadó. “It’s fun getting together. Someone calls a tune and we can all play.”

Dance chair Sally Van, who plays as well as practices set dancing, said it is always an informal gathering.

“A session is a conversation, not a performance,” she said. “We hope people just come out and enjoy themselves however they like.”

She said she believes it is the energy and grace of the music that makes it so infectious.

“It’s ethnic music that strikes a chord with people from all backgrounds,” said Ms. Van.

Mike Hogan, a native of Cork, Ireland, who now lives in Snellville, has been playing fiddle since 1947 and was a founding musician of the Fadó sessions.

“I just enjoy doing what so many generations enjoy doing,” he said. “I enjoy passing a tune on to fellow players.”