Write a comment
To mark the 60th Anniversary Celebrations of Newry Drama Festival, the Mayor of Newry and Mourne District Council, Councillor Charlie Casey hosted a Civic Reception in the Sean Hollywood Arts Centre.
Speaking at the Reception Mayor Casey said "The Council is pleased to host this Reception as the Festival Committee has played a pivotal and pioneering role in the development and promotion of the Arts in Newry.
Over the last 60 years the Festival has gone from strength to strength and even the loss of some key members did not deter the Festival from continuing. I am thinking particularly of the late Sean Hollywood after whom this building is named, and who did so much to nuture the talents of so many young people.
I have no doubt the young people of this area are indebted to Newry Drama Festival for the opportunities it has given them to develop life skills and confidence. Indeed many of them, such as Susan and John Lynch, Gerard Murphy and Peter Balance, have gone to repay this in the professional arena. Newry Drama Festival must be congratulated for providing an outlet for the talents of people of all ages in our community.
Whilst playing an integral role in our own community, Newry Drama Festival has offered a platform to many groups from all over Ireland. Each year we eagerly await the opportunities to attend the many professional and highly acclaimed productions it brings to Newry Town Hall.
Mayor Casey concluded by thanking the Committee, past and present, for their dedication and commitment to the Festival and wished them every success in the future.
To mark the occasion he presented Chairman Gerry McAnulty with an engraved crystal bowl.
