Ritz Cinema

In Newcastle, County Down, in about 1938, three Lurgan businessmen, Albert McMurray, Sam Crothers and Fred Monroe, took a lease on premises, situated behind the sea front amusements, from the owner Mr McCartney of Belfast, for the erection of the Ritz Cinema. Unfortunately, it was unable to compete with the well established Palace Cinema, which also had the advantage of being run by a local man. In 1949, John Corkin of Lurgan purchased the Palace Cinema and substantially renovated it. Box office receipts at the Ritz Cinema declined even further. Finally the partners cut their losses and sold the lease of the Ritz Cinema to John Corkin.

The Ritz Cinema closed on 22nd July 1950 with “Train to Alcatraz” starring Donald Barry and Jane Martin. The interior was cleared, the floor levelled it was turned it into a skating rink. Today the former cinema continues to provide entertainment as the Ritz Casino.

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