Were there any doubts that “The Friel Project,” Irish Repertory Theatre’s series honoring one of the 20th century’s great playwrights, would prove one of the highlights of this theater season, they have pretty much been laid to rest. Following its superb productions of “Aristocrats” and “Translations,” two of the various works that secured Brian Friel’s reputation as his country’s answer to Chekhov — and in advance of a revival of “Molly Sweeney” due later this spring — Irish Rep has just unveiled the project’s most moving entry yet.

“Philadelphia, Here I Come!” was first produced at Dublin in 1964, more than a decade before either of the previously mentioned shows had their premieres. Like those later plays, and numerous others Friel wrote, it’s set in the fictional town of Ballybeg — though, as the title suggests, America beckons its young protagonist, Gareth “Gar” O’Donnell, as it did his creator: “Philadelphia” would mark Friel’s Broadway debut and earn him his first Tony Award nomination, in 1966.