Unique Longford film collaboration on the time of ESB and the Power Station in Lanesboro

Last week saw the commencement of a collaboration between Lee Williamson, owner of the local Shuttermaniac Productions, and Lanesboro Primary School on the production of a project on the time of ESB and the Power Station.

This project of a film production is done under the directorship of Lee and the young students of the school.

It is funded and supported by Creative Schools and the Irish Arts Council in association with Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Backstage Theatre & Centre for the Arts, Longford Cruthú Arts Festival and Shuttermaniac Productions.  

Both the school and the power station were built in and around the same time and lived in perfect harmony through a number of building extensions to the old station and the building of the new station until its closure two years ago. The school lived in the shadow of the station for all of that time. 

During last week, Lee opened with an introduction to film from movies to commercials, storyboarding potential films and he was blown away with the smartness of the youngsters and how knowledgeable they were.

Lee's comments show how taken aback he was by the quality and shrewdness of his students. “It’s no wonder the Irish are storming the Oscars, the passion for film runs deep and if these kids are anything to go by, the future Ireland will be in good hands."

Lee is really looking forward to developing the project with the pupils and their teachers in the coming weeks as is everyone in the community to see the finished project.  

So far a good deal of stories, tales from local workers in the station and locals has become available.

The school is still seeking stories and experiences from former workers and anybody that has a story to tell about the power station over the past 65 years.

You should contact teachers Claire Murphy, Niamh Rowan at the school or Lee Williamson, Shuttermaniac Productions on the Rathcline Road.