The Festival of Lughnasa

The action of the play opens as the five sisters do chores while occasionally breaking into singing and dancing, inspired by their new radio which they call Marconi. Michael, as a boy, discusses with his aunts the kites he is building. Agnes suggests that they all attend the upcoming local harvest dance, to which Maggie, Rose and Chris respond enthusiastically. But Kate vetoes the idea, saying that they are all too old to attend the dance. The sisters discuss a local boy who is suffering from severe burns that he got while attending the Festival of Lughnasa, a pagan tradition. When the radio, which only works intermittently, is turned on again, the sisters all break into a frenzied dance together, which only ends after the radio breaks down again and the music is cut off. Looking out the window, they see Gerry Evans, Michael’s Father, who has not paid them a visit for over a year, approaching the house. Despite the disapproval of her sisters, Gerry is irresponsible as a father and it seems has abandoned Chris on many occasion, Chris approaches Gerry in the yard, where they both talk and laugh. Gerry tells Chris that he has taken a job selling gramophones, and that he will soon be joining the military to fight in Spain. Gerry spontaneously takes Chris into his arms and dances with her. Chris is still in love with him but knows that he will not assume the responsibilities associated with marriage.

Later, Uncle Jack explains rituals and cermonies in which he participated in Uganda, without regard to his Christian profession. Act I ends with Jack re-enacting a ritual dance and drumbeat from Uganda.