Portumna event will transport people to the bogland through scent

Using the techniques of a highly skilled perfumer, "Distillation" is a theatrical experience which celebrates our boglands. | oe

placeholder image — Using the techniques of a highly skilled perfumer, "Distillation" is a theatrical experience which celebrates our boglands. | oe

‘a multi-sensory performance that will transport audiences to the Irish bog landscape’

FOLLOWING sold-out performances across Ireland, the US, and Canada, the theatrical experience “Distillation” is visiting Portumna’s Shorelines Arts Festival.

At each performance, 25 audience members will join Luke Casserly in a multi-sensory performance that will transport audiences to the Irish bog landscape through senses and scent.

Luke collaborated with renowned perfumer Joan Woods to create a unique essence of the Midlands bog – the place where Luke grew up. This is the starting point for an olfactory encounter exploring our relationship to place.

Created in direct response to the cessation of Ireland’s peat harvesting industry, Luke says Distillation is dedicated to the future of our broken landscapes – “in the hope that by listening to them, we might be able to better understand them.”

The performances will take place on Friday September 11th at the restored Portumna Courthouse. You will be able to select from 3 performances at 12 noon, 3pm and 7pm. You can book at shorelinesartsfestival.com.

The production premiered as part of Dublin Theatre Festival in 2023, and has since toured extensively across Ireland, the USA, and Canada, earning widespread critical acclaim. It’s a co-production by Abbey Theatre and Solas Nua, and commissioned by Solas Nua. Supported by Goethe-Institut Irland, IMMA, Druid FUEL, AXIS Ballymun, and Backstage Theatre. The 2026 tour is funded by an Arts Council / An Chomhairle Ealaíon Theatre Touring Award. At Shorelines, this event is sponsored by This Old House Ireland.

The Shorelines Arts Festival takes place from Thursday, September 10 to Sunday, September 13, with the annual art exhibition launching early on Sunday, September 6.