The purpose of this article is to describe the specifics of Irish playwright Brian Friel’s adaptation of I.S. Turgenev’s novel Fathers and Sons for the theater and the reasons behind Friel’s transformations. The novelty of this study stems from the fact that the reception of Russian classical literature in Ireland in the 20th century has largely escaped the attention of both Russian and international scholars, despite the rich and extensive literature. A comparison of the novel and play reveals similar themes: the preservation of national identity and distinctiveness, the confrontation between representatives of different political groups, and social inequality. The theme of the past is touched upon in the context of the fate of an entire country. The playwright draws parallels between historical events in 19th-century Russia and the historical experience of Northern Ireland in the 20th century. Friel preserves the novel’s plot virtually unchanged, subjecting only the characters to significant transformations. The image of Bazarov the revolutionary crumbles before the viewer’s eyes: in reality, he lacks the courage to live up to the ideals of nihilism and revolution. Conversely, Pavel Petrovich, initially portrayed comically, turns out to be true to his principles. Friel chooses Arkady, Fenechka, and Nikolai Petrovich as his ideals - characters distinguished by kindness and humanity. A significant feature of the play Fathers and Sons is its interweaving of tragedy, farce, and comedy, which links it to the Chekhovian tradition.