The decision by the BBC to discontinue the TV soap Ballykissangel has come in the wake of falling ratings and the departure of a number of top actors from the series.
Film crew expected to move into the Co Wicklow village of Avoca next week to prepare for filming on May 14th. Instead, the series was axed, leaving the real village in shock.
Local guest-house owner, Ms Bernie Ivors said the cast and crew had become part of the community. "They're friends now. I feel for the people who have lost their jobs."
She said the village had five great years out of the series and she believed that the people who visited Avoca as a result would continue to return.
For actor Mick Lally, yesterday's news was a double blow, as it was his second soap to finish in just a few months. Having the faced the demise of Glenroe, Mick had enthusiastically joined the cast of Ballykissangel only to hear that that part was now gone too.
Since the series took off in Britain and further afield, the tiny village has been thronged with tourists on a daily basis.
It was a difficult but profitable time for Avoca as the village had little infrastructure to cope with the demands of the visitors.