The Coca-Cola company was told "it owes Drogheda" and was criticised by local councillors over its decision to close its plant in the town with the loss of 256 jobs.
The company said the Drogheda plant, which made soft drink syrup for export to Europe and north Africa, was being closed for reasons of efficiency rather than falling demand.
The news was described as a "body blow" to the town that will result in a payroll of €25 million being taken out of the local economy, according to the mayor of Drogheda, Anthony Donohoe.
Standing orders were suspended at the borough council meeting last night to debate the issue and it was decided that if required representatives would travel to Coca-Cola headquarters in Atlanta in the US to try and have the decision reversed.
The company said it was ending its manufacturing and distribution operation, known as Drogheda Concentrates, in September next year but that 90 additional jobs would be created in its plants in Ballina and Athy.
The company said it would offer a "generous" redundancy package to the Drogheda staff.
Hugo Reidy, general manager of the plant, said that the affected workers would also be offered an early retirement package "together with financial advice, job search, retraining and business start-up assistance".
The Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Micheál Martin, said after the closure he had asked Fás "to provide every possible support and advice to the workers and whatever retraining may be necessary to help them secure alternative employment".
Cllr Michael O'Dowd (FG) said last night "Drogheda was very good for Coca-Cola. It built up a very profitable company built on the back of the hard work and dedication of the workforce".
The borough council is calling a meeting next week of interested parties including company management and workers in an attempt to have the decision reversed. The plant was one of the town's main employers.