In the past seven years, the week of St. Patrick’s Day has become synonymous with a block of sold-out shows at the Avalon headed by Boston-bred Irish punk rockers the Dropkick Murphys.

Last Thursday, as the crowd waited impatiently, a throbbing chant nearly drowned out the haunting Gaelic song playing over the PA system. Soon the Boston Police Column of Pipes ‘ Drums marched out of the darkness playing traditional bagpipes, the Murphys flag unfurled, the lights flashed on and the band launched into an explosive version of “Worker’s Song.”

As singer Al Barr paced up and down the stage, his coarse growl provoked the crowd — a motley crew in green and black sporting Mohawks and kilts and holding up banners — into rowdy circle pits that moved almost as fast as the tempo of the songs.

The Murphys showed their musical versatility and Irish roots by incorporating the accordion, banjo, mandolin and bagpipes, playing 28 songs in just an hour and a half. Despite sparse communication with the audience between songs, the Murphys more than managed to keep the crowd riotous.

Later in the set, the pandemonium on the floor moved to the stage when the band invited all the girls up for a raucous version of “Spicy” and the band’s best drinking song, “Kiss Me, I’m [expletive deleted].” The boys got their chance to rock out with the band during the final song of the night, “Skinhead on the MBTA.”

The show also featured opening acts Sick of It All and the Horrorpops, a troupe of young Irish step-dancers during “Captain Kelly’s Kitchen” and a dedication to the band’s innumerable friends and family in attendance before “Fields of Athenry.”

Last week’s shows also commemorated the band’s 10th year together.

“We have been a band for ten goddamn years!” bassist Ken Casey exclaimed before tearing into “Bastards on Parade.” “Thanks to all of you for giving us the best goddamn job ever!”