A significant landmark in Newry is slated for demolition to make way for an ambitious city centre redevelopment. The former Sean Hollywood Arts Centre will be razed to facilitate the expansion of the adjacent town hall, consolidating them into a singular theatre and conference venue.
The final public performance at Newry Town Hall is scheduled for Sunday, after which it will also close its doors for the duration of a two-year construction project. While the town hall’s closure is temporary, the demolition of the arts centre marks the end of an era for a notable local edifice.
The decision to demolish the arts centre, with its neoclassical facade and Georgian-style windows, might seem counterintuitive, but appearances can be deceiving. The current structure is, in fact, a 1980s iteration of the original building that once occupied the site.
The Bank, the Ballroom, and the Bombing
The original structure, erected in the 1830s, stood for over 130 years before being destroyed in a bomb attack during “The Troubles.”
Initially housing the Savings Bank, it was once arguably the most significant civic site in Newry. Its influence persists today, with the street it occupied still known as Bank Parade.
Although the bank ceased operations in the late 1880s, the building continued to serve the community for generations. Its spacious assembly rooms were adapted for a variety of uses, including a ballroom, a theatre stage, a public library, a technical college, and a tax office. For a period, it even functioned as Newry’s town hall, with town commissioners briefly using it as their headquarters until 1894, when they relocated to their newly constructed, red-bricked town hall.
National Library of IrelandInitial considerations for expanding the old Savings Bank were superseded by the decision that a larger, purpose-built headquarters would better reflect the aspirations of the burgeoning port town. After serving many roles over the decades, a decision to use the Savings Bank as a temporary tax office ultimately sealed its fate.
In January 1972, at the height of the Troubles, IRA bombers entered the building. Reports from the Newry Reporter indicate that 43 Inland Revenue staff were given mere minutes to evacuate before three devices detonated, destroying the building and a significant quantity of tax records.
Within a decade, the local council had rebuilt the ruined structure, adding a substantial modern extension to create a civic arts centre. The original granite portico, one of the few elements to survive the bombing, was integrated into a faithful replica of the original facade. Named in honour of the Newry actor and civil rights activist Sean Hollywood, the arts centre operated for nearly 40 years, becoming a landmark in its own right. However, in 2019, the Newry, Mourne and Down Council proposed its demolition to allow for the town hall’s expansion.
Newry ReporterWhile arts organisations applauded the investment, the Ulster Architectural Heritage (UAH) charity voiced objections to the demolition. Its policy chairman, John Anderson, described it as another instance of the “desecration” of Newry’s heritage. Anderson acknowledged that the arts centre was a reconstruction but argued it should still have been preserved as a valuable asset within a conservation area.
“A lot of care was taken with that particular building,” he stated. “It is a faithful recreation of the classical facade of the original Newry Savings Bank. A very good recreation, not regarded as something tacky.”
Newry, Mourne and Down Council‘It’s Just Being Bulldozed’
Despite objections, permission for demolition was granted by the Department for Infrastructure in April 2025, along with approval for the demolition of an adjoining red-brick house dating back to the 1860s.
The UAH contended that both structures should have been preserved and integrated into the redevelopment to maintain the area’s character.
Ulster Architectural Heritage“We are not against good architecture, we’re also not against sympathetic and appropriate alterations to heritage buildings,” Anderson remarked. He stressed that Northern Ireland’s architectural heritage is “a national asset that needs to be protected and it’s just being bulldozed.”
However, the council defended its redevelopment strategy, asserting that it would “preserve and enhance the visual aspect of the conservation area for the benefit of the wider community.” A spokesperson added, “Newry has a proud theatrical legacy, and the approved plans will allow us to support a new generation of young performers in state-of-the-art facilities.”
The spokesperson also noted that neither the arts centre nor the house at No 2 Bank Parade were listed buildings. Their “contribution to the conservation area was considered in detail within the planning process,” and Stormont’s Historical Environment Division (HED) had “no objection in principle to proposals, subject to conditions.”
‘Absolutely Beautiful’
When presented with the redevelopment plans, local residents passing through the area expressed mixed sentiments.
“It’s absolutely beautiful, and it will be a lovely feature for the town,” remarked Marie Byrne, who has fond memories of visiting the arts centre for exhibitions and events.
“I thought it was lovely the way it was,” she added, “But in saying that, everything is good for change. People have to move on.”
Newry, Mourne and Down Council“Newry in general needs a good upgrade,” said Patrick Smith, adding that the area around the town hall “needs brightening up, that’s for sure.” He supported the redevelopment project but also stated he would have been content with preserving the arts centre and incorporating it into the plans. “It is sad to see a building like that come down… but for growth for Newry it will be a welcome change.”
Ray Casey, a resident of Armagh Road, recalled the original building from his youth when it was part of Newry Technical College. “It’s not being used at the moment, it’s a waste so I’m all for the redevelopment,” he commented, looking forward to the new public walkway planned along the riverbank.
No definitive date for the demolition has been set, but the arts centre is scheduled to be handed over to the contractor in June.
Business Style Takeaway: The Newry redevelopment highlights the perennial tension between preserving architectural heritage and embracing urban regeneration for economic and cultural advancement. For businesses operating globally, understanding how communities balance these competing values is crucial for brand positioning, stakeholder engagement, and identifying markets where tradition and progress coexist, often creating unique consumer preferences and opportunities.
Based on materials from : www.bbc.com