In the following excerpt, Andrews analyzes the "central image" of dancing in Dancing at Lughnasa.

In the excerpt below, Krause claims Dancing at Lughnasa "lacks the essential and fulsome poetry and rhythm of dramatic speech" and criticizes Friel for writing a play "that is more attractive to the eye than the ear."

In the following review of the London production of Dancing at Lughnasa at the Lyttelton Theatre, Edwards praises Friel's characterization of the five Mundy sisters.

In the review below, Henry claims that Dancing at Lughnasa evokes great joy as well as sadness, and states that although Friel has been influenced by Chekhov, this work is one of "authentic originality. "

In mid-April 1990, Dancing at Lughnasa premiered at the Abbey Theatre in Dublin. In the review below, Armistead finds the play "[rich with atmosphere, redolent with an admittedly equivocal nostalgia … unfolding like a slow smooch to the music of time. "]

In October 1991, the entire Abbey Theatre production arrived in New York from Dublin, and Dancing at Lughnasa opened on Broadway. In the following review of that staging. Kroll praises every aspect of the play, declaring it "as powerful and haunting as anything [Friel has ever written. "]