Listoke Distillery Turns Gin Stills Into Heroic Hand Sanitiser
The tiny but mighty Listoke Distillery has swapped its prized gin production for a new mission: whipping up hand sanitiser to help tackle the nation’s COVID-19 shortage. When asked about the switch, managing director and co‑founder Bronagh Conlon joked that the saccharin‑free fluid is basically “a very, very strong gin,” though she added firmly that it’s not for drinking.
What Went Wrong?
- Long‑standing demand for sanitiser outstripped supply.
- Distillery equipped with state‑of‑the‑art stills, ready to adapt.
- Local community needed a steady supply of skin‑soothing antiseptic.
How It Works
By leveraging the same base ingredients used for their beloved gin, the distillery craftily creates a high‑percentage alcohol solution—perfect for sanitising hands without the toe‑tapping rush of a drink.
Bronagh’s Take
“Basically we’re actually using the same ingredients—so for all intents and purposes you could say it’s a very, very strong gin,” she chuckled. “We would absolutely not recommend anybody to drink it.”
With a humorous nod to the potent mixture, the team at Listoke is proving that heroes can come from the most unexpected of places!
When Gin Meets Sanitiser: A Distillery’s Unlikely Super‑Hero
The Spark of Innovation
Back in eastern Ireland, a small distillery and gin school nestled north of Dublin found themselves faced with a new—yet surprisingly familiar—problem. During the early days of the pandemic, the team cranked out a 64‑percent alcohol sanitiser. And guess what? It still carried that unmistakable juniper aroma that fans love in their bottled gin. Espresso‑like charm, but for your hands!
From In‑House to Market‑Ready
- Initially, the sanitiser was just for the crew’s own use.
- As COVID‑19 rolled on, the group decided to share the goodness with the public.
- They priced each bottle at €10 (about S$17.20). Simple, affordable, and packed with gin‑like flair.
- And because they’re firm believers in good vibes, a portion of the sales goes straight into frontline local charities helping the homeless.
Numbers That Make a Difference
Conlon, the proud 55‑year‑old creator of the product, estimates that 2,000 litres—or roughly 3,500 to 4,000 bottles—have been sold since the very first batch went out. That’s not just a tidy tally; it’s a concrete boost to the frontline fight against infection.
Why It Matters
“It’s just a way that we can all help,” Conlon said with a grin. “It’s absolutely uncharted waters for everybody.” And he’s right—whether you’re a gin connoisseur or a hand‑washing warrior, this little twist of creativity is turning every splash into a safety boost.
A welcome tonic
Gin & Sanitation: A Wednesday Night Adventure
Over the Counter
- Staff hustled at a makeshift table, stacking bottles of hand‑sanitizer alongside gin.
- “Keep warm with the gin, keep clean with the sanitiser,” one team member joked, and a customer took home a bottle of each.
Queueing With a Twist
- People lined up outside the warehouse distillery and then slipped into the parking lot of the industrial estate.
- Strict “social distancing” guidelines were enforced, so everyone kept a respectful 4‑post gap.
Staged for Safety
- An elderly shopper wore a surgical mask as she snapped up her gin.
COVID‑19 Snapshot
By Tuesday night, Ireland’s health department reported two COVID‑19 deaths and 292 confirmed cases.
Everybody Gets a Little Chaos—Leigh, It’s on Us, Not on Them!
Prime Minister Leo Varadkar has cut his eyes on the numbers: he predicts Ireland could well hit 15,000 COVID cases by March’s close. To meet that looming threat, the PM is ringing someone’s alarms—
the healthcare pros who are just chilling out: “If you’re not on the front line right now, it’s time to jump back in.”
Spoken from the Couch, Not the Spit‑Out Stage
In a first-of-its-kind live address, Varadkar leaned into the weary. “Tonight, I know many of you are feeling scared and overwhelmed,” he said. “Those are completely normal reactions, but we’re going to get through this together, and we’ll come out on top!”
What’s Happening Right Now? (Quick‑Snap Checklist)
- Pubs, schools, universities—closed.
- Gathers > 100 people? Please, let’s keep them a bit tighter.
- Work‑from‑home ain’t just an option— it’s the new expected norm.
Bottom Line—A Call To Colleagues, A Cue To Caregivers, and Some Good‑Ol’ Encouragement!
With the situation looking rather grim, it’s also a plaque of hope. “We’ll get through this together,” Varadkar’s message rings with solidarity. So if you’re off guard and still willing to say “hey, I can help,” the Irish frontline is ready to open the door to the next great act of bravery.
Keeping spirits high
Forget the Panic‑Buying Rant: The Real Story Behind Missing Sanitation Supplies
Picture this: you hop into your local supermarket, expecting a stash of hand sanitisers, masks, and soap. But the shelves are empty. The news says the government’s proving there’s no need to hoard, yet the reality on the ground looks more like a vending machine that broke down.
One Voice From the Survivor’s Front
Conlon—a breast‑cancer survivor who’s seen more medical appointments than a calendar—touts the stark disparity:
- What has been sold is only a sliver of what’s required.
- The lack of hand sanitiser is frightening, especially for those “medically vulnerable.”
- She calls the shortage “absolutely terrifying” and worries it’s turning life into a “scrabble of anxieties.”
Distillery to the Rescue – Or Is It?
On a bright sunny afternoon, 70‑year‑old Una Hatch holds a bottle of hand sanitiser next to a pint of gin at a quirky distillery. Here’s what she shared:
- “You can’t get it anywhere else right now,” she says, clutching the product like a lifeline.
- She applauds the distillery’s brainstorm‑like initiative — “a great idea of someone thinking outside the box.”
- Una feels the move is “bringing out the best in people,” turning an ordinary distillery into a haven of community spirit.
Bottom Line
Ministers may keep the mantra of “no panic buying” in living rooms, but the shelves, the survivors, and even the distillery gins speak a different story. Let’s keep a hopeful lens on these ongoing shortages and support the creative ways people are stepping up to fill the gaps.
Curious about how the coronavirus is evolving in Ireland? Stay tuned and get the latest updates in the official health channels. Enjoy your gin responsibly, and keep those hands clean!
