50 years for Lee stations
The Banks of my own lovely Lee certainly resounded for the staff at ESB's Lee Station on September 28th when they celebrated 50 years of generating electricity at Inniscarra. You couldn't have asked for a more perfect setting for the hydro plant as it rests in a scenic valley between Blarney and Ballincollig. Staff at the station are justifiably proud of the plant and this can be seen by the pristine state of the grounds and the station itself. This pride is transferred into the workplace and visitors on the day could see at first hand the results of their efforts.
Retired and current staff, together with invited guests, were treated earlier in the day to what was a very special occasion. Spouses of deceased members of staff were present and this lent a very poignant air to the occasion. Mass was celebrated in the power station and guests were then invited to join Pat O'Doherty, Executive Director ESB Power Generation and the Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr. Donal J. Counihan in unveiling a water-wheel on the grounds outside.
This was followed by a truly wonderful lunch prepared by Marguerite Allan and her team. Previous visitors to Inniscarra will have had reason to compliment Marguerite on her cooking skills long before this occasion.
In the evening a celebratory dinner was held at the Kingsley Hotel, Cork. Staff were joined by family and local dignitaries to complete the celebrations. Pat Naughton, Hydro Manager, treated the audience to a history of Lee Stations and outlined the important role they play in the Cork area. Pat also spoke of the station's impressive performance record to which staff can be justifiably proud.
Speaking at this event was Deputy Chief Executive, Aidan O'Regan who thanked the staff, present and past and their families for their contribution to this success. Aidan reminded the gathering that ESB was also celebrating a significant birthday - 80 years old this year. "ESB started as a renewable energy company with the Shannon Scheme, followed by the Erne, Liffey and this wonderful Lee station," he said.
Aidan added that, "over that time, ESB has grown hand-inhand with Ireland itself. We are proud of our company's contribution to the local and national economy and to the social fabric of the nation. At the same time as building this station, in the 1950s we electrified the nation touching every house in the country and helped develop our modern society. Today ESB is a successful home-spun Irish company with power plants overseas. I want to assure ESB staff, that with your help, ESB will continue to be a strong, successful and profitable company serving the Irish people for at least another 80 years."
The evening concluded with dancing to local band Oceans Five and turned out to be a most memorable occasion with many stories regaled of great times past.
