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Newry Maritime Association has expressed disappointment and concern after Newry, Mourne and Down District Council rejected an application to retain the name of Sean Hollywood within the city’s new theatre development. The association says the decision raises questions about how Newry recognises and protects the legacy of those who contributed to its cultural identity. It has called on the Council to explain the decision, and a public petition has been launched to keep the name.
The association works to preserve and promote Newry’s history and heritage. An NMA spokesperson said: “Newry’s history belongs to its people. It should not be erased simply because a new building is being developed.”
They added: “We are deeply disturbed by the prospect of losing the Sean Hollywood name from such an important part of Newry’s cultural landscape.
“Newry is a city with an extraordinary history, built by individuals whose contributions deserve to be recognised and remembered.
“We welcome the new theatre, but progress should never require us to disregard the people who helped shape our city.
“If we cannot find a way to honour someone who dedicated so much of his life to the performing arts, what does that say about how we value our local heritage?
“We believe the Council should reconsider this decision and engage meaningfully with the community.”
Newry Maritime Association is asking the Council to provide a full explanation of its decision, review the relevant naming policy and consider retaining Sean Hollywood’s name as a prominent and permanent part of the new theatre development. While it welcomes investment in a new theatre, the association believes modernisation and heritage preservation should go hand in hand.
Sean Hollywood dedicated much of his life to theatre, education and nurturing young talent in Newry. The association says his influence helped shape generations of performers. For many residents, it says, the Sean Hollywood Arts Centre represents more than bricks and mortar, as a place associated with creativity, opportunity, friendships and generations of theatrical achievement.
The association also recognised the efforts of Councillors Doire Finn and Killian Feehan in bringing public attention to the issue.
Former students, performers, families and members of the wider community are being encouraged to share their memories of Sean Hollywood and explain what his contribution to the city has meant to them. The association believes the story deserves wider public discussion, not simply as a question of naming a building, but as a broader conversation about how Newry protects its cultural and historical identity.
It added: “Buildings may change, but the names and stories of those who shaped our city should never be forgotten.”
The petition calling for Sean Hollywood’s name to be retained can be found at www.sdlp.ie/seanhollywood
