People in Lanesboro have been paying tribute today to the employment provided by the ESB and Bord na Mona over the past several decades.
The community is coming to terms this evening with the fact that the power station has effectively closed marking the end of a special time and relationship with two semi-state companies in the Shannonside village.
Like with most bad news while people can be prepared for it, but never fully believe until the actual event happens, and there was a senses of that in Lanesboro this afternoon with people remembering the secure employment and sense of community fostered by Bord Na Mona and ESB.
Local hairdresser Mags Gillen whose father worked as an electrician with Bord Na Mona says the tow companies have kept local sports clubs well-funded over the years.
She has fond memories too of growing up on the Green in Lanesboro where so many families form across the country came to settle.
Michael Connaughton who worked for the local power station for over 40 years has good memories of his working life, and says there is a concern about what can really replace the jobs for the future.
There's also concern in Lanesboro about the future of the famous hot water stretch on the Shannon which drew anglers from across Europe over the years.
Philip Gordon from the Lough Ree Angling hub wants ESB to make an investment to allow a campaign of rehabilitation for the stretch and ensure some future prospects of attracting fishermen again.
