A Spirited Irish Business Woman, Aviation style

The Runway 28 Beverage Co.
5 min readMay 28, 2023

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The intoxicating combination of an Irish entrupunerial woman, within the Irish Craft spirits industry, with an added Aviation twist; a journey taking many varying routes & re-inventions, from 1982 to the present day..

Marie Ann Mc Loughlin Dwyer started her professional career in the summer of 1982, pulling ice-cream cones at Murphy’s newsagents in upper Baggot street, Dublin 4. “Dublin in the early 80’s was edgy, gritty, full of characters, and very much the centre of my world” recalls Marie Ann. Remembering her Ice-Cream sales apprenticeship, Marie Ann explains, “Leaving school was a happy release for me to be honest, each report card highlighted my “middle of the road” status, in fact the same sentence appeared on all of my end of term report cards “Marie Ann could do better”, the thing was, I was an anchorless pupil, who adored English and communication, however, I lived in fear of maths, and the Irish language. I had NO idea exactly how to do better!

Marie Ann’s Aer Lingus wings ceremony 1999 — Dublin Airport

“By October 1985, another career opened up for me” said Marie Ann “I became a teenage mother”. “It would be another ten years before I had the confidence, or the resources to re-enter adult education, although I never achieved a formal degree, by 1999 I had enough qualifications to be recruited by Aer Lingus, a game changer, which has stood to me all of my life. I had studied nursing and phlebotomy from 1995 until the day I joined Aer Lingus. I had worked at St. James Hospital Dublin, within the HIV bloods & outpatients clinic. At the same time I was working occasional hours at Mount Carmel Hospital, a private maternity Hospital in Dublin. Additionally, I was taking several night classes for mature students at UCD Dublin in sociology. Life was opening up for me. At last. Perhaps I could “do better”.

Marie Ann (alongside fellow Cabin Crew member Eoin Curran, currently safety & emergency instructor & manager at Aer Lingus) flying for Aviajet in the 00’s

So how does all of this backstory relate to my current status as “Founder & Creative Director” of a beverage co? “To be honest, the newsagents, the night courses, the studying, the nursing, the retail experience, it all set me on course. As I worked, I learned, most importantly I learned how to harness several important and core business accruements needed for brand building”.

Hillary Smith (Cavan, Ireland) and Marie Ann at The Farnham Estate Hotel Cavan — Cavan Business Women’s Club Autumn 2022.
Hillary Smith & Marie Ann at The Cavan Business Women’s Club — The Farnham Estate, Autumn 2022.

They say life itself is a university, and for me that statement is not only true, but it’s how I’ve lived, it’s how I’ve learned. I’ve stocked shelves, packed boxes, promoted products, helped develop products. I’ve worked with luxury goods manufacturers, and listened to people negotiate. I’ve nursed the dying, the disabled, and sometimes the frightened. I’ve cared for the elderly, and the venerable. I’ve seen greed, bad business practice, and the ugly side of competition. However, I’ve also seen life, I’ve seen patients win battles, overcome fear & survive against all of the odds. I’ve witnessed professional excellence, and genuine mentorship. I have listened to kind spirited leaders, who have encouraged others, and have been willing to share their time and experience for little or no reward. I’ve worked with creatives who dedicate themselves to exploration, uniqueness, and aesthetics.

Marie Ann at Listoke Distillery and Gin School Co. Louth

The fine art of “merging” experience and pulling the best parts of industries, has always been a great source of inspiration for me. My Runway 28 labels are a combination of Industry collaborations, seamlessly gliding between the Aviation world that I know, & and the world of Artisan Crafted Irish Spirits & the experts who distill. I continuously learn from masters, experts, and apprentices alike, and will continue to enjoy the process of growth and development, both professionally and personally.

Runway 28 Premium Pink Vodka with Mixed Berries

Our latest brand addition is our “Women in Aviation” inspired Runway 28 Premium Pink Vodka. It’s combination of pure premium vodka, with mixed berries, distilled by Sean at Listoke Distillery, Co. Louth, with it’s iconic label imagery, created over a number of months by Marie Ann & Capt. Colm, (Co Founder) not to mention Rich (team graphic designer Tenerife) with the assistance of a small focus group in both Tenerife and Ireland, epitomises many personal milestones reached for me, milestones that I can be proud of. It pays homage to an era of brave, strong, female Aviation pioneers, women who sacrificed, broke boundaries, whos very existence often posed as a threat and a challenge to society in general. In the words of one of the greatest female pioneering Aviators: “Some of us have great Runways already built for us, if you have one, take it! But if you don’t have one, realize it is your responsibility to grab a shovel and build one for yourself, and for those who follow after you” — Amelia Earhart

The Runway 28 labels: Runway 28 Gin & Runway 28 Pink Vodka are available to purchase online at www.runway28gin.com www.listokedistillery.ie and www.pilot.ie

“Some of us have great Runways already built for us, if you have one, take it! But if you don’t have one, realize it is your responsibility to grab a shovel and build one for yourself, and for those who follow after you” — Amelia Earhart

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The Runway 28 Beverage Co.
The Runway 28 Beverage Co.

Written by The Runway 28 Beverage Co.

Proudly making & distributing Irish Craft Aviation Style Spirits since 2020!

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