Decision to not retain Hollywood name on conference centre "totally disrespectful"
Former SDLP election agent asks who new facility is going to be named after
THE decision to not retain the name of Sean Hollywood upon the new theatre and conference centre has been labelled as "totally disrespectful" by a close personal friend of this pioneer of local performing arts.
Jerome Mullen, who served alongside Mr Hollywood during the nascent days of the SDLP, made the comment in the wake of an application on the part of Newry councillor Doire Finn to have the name of this giant of arts and local politics retained in lieu of the planned demolition of the eponymous art centre situated on the Bank Parade.
Regrettably however the application made on the part of Councillor Finn has been rejected.
Currently the Art's centre is set to be demolished to facilitate the construction of the Theatre and Conference Centre which is funded in part by the Belfast Region City Deal (BRCD) and Shared Island Initiative.
Whilst there are many in the community who may be looking forward to the grand opening of the new facility Mr Mullen, who was one of the people present when the current art centre was established in 2005, has labelled this decision to not retain his dear friend's name on this new facility as "disrespectful"
This is not in the least of which considering the monumental contributions made to the arts by Newry's very own Hollywood great.
"It is totally disrespectful" said Mr Mullen, "who are they going to call it after?"
"I remember when the Art centre was built. I was one of the speakers when his name was attached to the Art centre after he died as he was at the centre of the Arts.
"I knew Sean personally and I was a very close friend of his. He was a wonderful character. He was a teacher in Saint Colman's college. One of the greatest English teachers that the college ever saw. Anyone who would have went to the college in those years will tell you this.
“He was an outstanding figure, a real giant in so many different fields in politics, the arts and in teaching.
"He made his mark in the original civil rights march in Newry. Back in those days I was an activist in the SDLP and an organiser. I was election agent in two if not three elections. He fought south Down against Enoch Powell in 1973."
"It is totally disrespectful that they will not keep his name on the new facility.”The fact of the matter is who are they going to call it after?"
If you are interested in seeing the name of of Sean Hollywood retained on the new Theatre and Art Centre Councillor Doire Finn has started a petition to ensure the name of one of the greatest sons the city of Newry has ever produced is remembered or decades to come.
"As many people will know, Newry is getting a new theatre" said Councillor Finn which is great news for our theatre and arts community in Newry."
"For this to happen, and much to my nostalgic dismay, the Sean Hollywood Arts Centre will be demolished.
“This building holds memories for many people who spent time there, I had so many happy summers learning about theatre and making lifelong friends.
"Last year I applied to council to retain Sean's name on the new facility, and this week I found out that council have rejected my application.
"So that's why I'm starting this petition. Sean's legacy in the arts is unparalleled. He dedicated his life to teaching young people their stage craft, nurturing talent and creating future stars of stage and screen.
"In any other city on this island, It would be a no brainer to honour a theatrical legacy but council policy is flying in the face of what people in this city want.
“That's why I'm asking you to sign this petition so that I can bring the strength of feeling this city and the wider district and island have directly to the top of Council.
"Please sign and share as widely as you can to help protect the arts legacy of our city."