HYANNIS — History tells us Ireland has had a way of reinventing itself. From the exodus of the 1840s through the "Troubles" and the recent economic boom to the present state of critical sovereign debt, Ireland seems to be in a perpetual state of renewal.

And renewal was key to the performance of the five ebullient musicians performing Celtic-inspired music Saturday evening. The concert was a fundraiser for the Cape Cod Symphony Orchestra and was sponsored by the fortuitously named Emerald Physicians.

Irish fiddle virtuoso Eileen Ivers, a compact dynamo of fiery energy and boundless musical inventiveness, partnered with four distinctive masters of their instruments: Tommy McDonnell, percussion and vocals; Buddy Connolly, button accordion and keyboards; Leo Traversa, bass guitar; and Greg Anderson, acoustic guitar.

The group led us on a musical journey of constant motion — a dizzying meld of traditional Irish music, bluegrass, and rock 'n' roll, and even a taste of swing and gospel. In the process, the band pushed the limits of what we think of as Irish music and renewed and expanded the genre.

Ivers has a remarkable ability to connect with the audience and her remarks, a winning combination of warmth and modestly conveyed information, included the reading of the Barney Mulligan poem that inspired the poignant song "My American Wake," describing the feelings of an Irishman's loss of country the night before he embarks for America.

But somber reflection was secondary to the infectious romp of the reels and jigs enunciated with slashing accents and changes of meter that comprised most of the concert.

Tommy McDonnell, a member of the Original Blues Brother Band, was a substantial presence throughout the evening and had the audience enthusiastically participating in call-and-answer mode in "Reconciliation," a song about the Catholic and Protestant strife that came to a head in the latter part of the last century.

There was even a tip of the hat to Louis Armstrong in a recreation of his 1926 recording of "Irish Black Bottom" written by Percy Venable.

McDonnell, a dynamic performer with a sonorous, projecting voice and engaging stage presence, provided a perfect adjunct to Ivers' joyously infectious playing, commentary and agile stage movements.

Brother-and-sister step-dancing team Cian and Ashley Smith were a splendid addition as they engaged in the proceedings at judicious moments and enhanced and carried the momentum forward. Their step dancing was notable for masterly technique, integration with the music and engaging projection.

Some of the most interesting performances happened when musicians teamed up as duos or trios. Among the final numbers was a riveting duo exchange between fiddler Ivers and accordionist Connolly where the two exchanged phrases reflecting and commenting on what the other had just played in rapid and deft succession.