Drogheda’s Listoke Distillery & Gin School has officially closed after eight years, primarily due to being let down by investors amid numerous challenges like COVID, inflation, and tourism shutdowns.
A shutdown of tourism was cited by the co-founders Bronagh Conlon and Sean MacDhuibhinse, along with their family team, as they reminisced on struggles and achievements, such as numerous international awards for their gin, whiskey, and vodka.
Established in 2016, Listoke expanded to become Ireland’s first gin school, helping launch 21 other brands and welcoming thousands of visitors over the years.
The distillery was involved in community support, donating hand sanitizer during the pandemic and contributing to various charitable causes, while employing 12 staff members throughout its operation.
Bronagh’s daughter Sarah McAvinchey, Director of Sales shared: “we want to thank our incredibly supportive staff for all they have done for us. They go above and beyond to get orders out last minute, give people an amazing Gin School experience and put up with all of our family chaos. “We have tried to keep the business going through a myriad of uphill battles including Covid, a management buyout, cost of living crisis, global inflation, tourism shut down and insane shipping costs.”
