Actress Susan Lynch supports arts centre petition
Actress Susan Lynch has thrown her support behind a campaign spearheaded by Newry SDLP Councillors Doire Finn and Killian Feehan, calling for a new arts facility in Newry to retain the name of acclaimed theatre director Sean Hollywood after the council rejected the idea this week.
The former Sean Hollywood Arts Centre is set to be demolished to make way for an extension to the neighbouring town hall, creating a combined theatre and conference venue.
Dedicated to the late Newry teacher and civil rights campaigner Sean Hollywood, the arts centre operated for almost 40 years and became a landmark in its own right.
However, in 2019, Newry, Mourne and Down Council proposed demolishing the building to facilitate an expansion of the town hall.
Lynch, who was born in Newry, has enjoyed a distinguished career across film, television and theatre. She says she owes much of her professional success to Hollywood and the influence he had on a generation of performers.
Her film credits include Waking Ned Devine, The Secret of Roan Inish, Interview with the Vampire, Nora, From Hell, Beautiful Creatures, Enduring Love, Elizabeth: The Golden Age, Steven Spielberg's Ready Player One, Bad Day for the Cut and Bring Them Down.
She has also become familiar to television audiences through roles in Happy Valley, Killing Eve, Unforgotten, Bloodlands and Sex Education.
In a passionate appeal, Lynch has urged local people to sign a petition calling for the new facility to be named the Sean Hollywood Arts Facility, preserving the name of the former arts centre.
She said: “There are no words, just memories etched in my mind and in the minds of so many of us who were lucky enough to be influenced by this great man!
“We all want the new arts facility to retain its name as the Sean Hollywood Arts Facility. It's the least we can do to commemorate and celebrate the space where so many lives were affected and influenced by Sean, and his plays.
“Our director, our mentor, our teacher.
“I, like many others, would not have the life I have had if it wasn't for Sean. His influence on all of us in Newry who went on to be professional actors and writers and directors is unparalleled."
Calling on the people of Newry to support the petition, Lynch said the campaign was about recognising Hollywood's contribution not only to aspiring artists but also to audiences who watched his productions in awe.
“We need to come together to help retain Sean's name in the space that we all shared together," she said.
To support the petition, visit: https://www.sdlp.ie/seanhollywood.