takes you
to parade bands
The short tour ends here!
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The short tour ends here! |
We include here all the open-air events, the Folk Festival events, and other main events, of interest to all ages. For meal & drink promotions in licensed premises, eg karaoke, quiz and party nights, please see the printed programme or the local press.
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Programme extends |
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OR |
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Thurs. 14 |
Fri. 14 |
Sat. 16 |
Sun. 17 |
Mon. 18 |
Tues. 19 |
Wed. 20 |
Thurs. 21 |
Fri. 22 |
Sat. 23 |
Sun. 24 |
Mon. 25 |
| pre-Festival events |
4th Port Parade |
Crowning Ceremony |
Fireworks |
Folk Festival |
Flower Show |
Garden Competition |
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Once again, we have reached the time of the year, when Irvinites, and others, are looking forward with great anticipation to the longest horse drawn Parade, as well as the oldest horse racing event, probably in the world. It is of course, Marymass, which means so much to so many. As Chairman of the Marymass Committee, I have been working with the Carters' Committee, the Emergency Services, and many Community Organisations to ensure that we have a quality Marymass 2008. This includes the now established spectacular and stunning Festival of Light, which takes off from the Town Centre, on the Saturday prior to Marymass, and ends at the Moor. Last year was great, this year – Fantastic!! This is followed by the incredible and dramatic Fireworks Display, which delights many thousands of people, in a celebration of our history and heritage. The enhanced Folk Festival, Competitions and Contests, and simple fun and mad events. have ensured we have yet another record year for Community Events. Last year we returned Marymass to be a fantastic and fun time for the Family, and this year we will make certain this continues. My thanks to everyone who have made my enjoyable task that much easier. Have a really good Marymass. Councillor Ian Clarkson, Chairman, Marymass Development Committee |
Pre-Festival events
Tuesday 12 August
Marymass North Ayrshire Boys Open (The McMaster Shield) open to junior golfers aged less than 18 years on 01.01.08 and residing in KA11and KA12 - Irvine Ravenspark Golf Course - 8.30am -6.00 pm - £60 voucher prize - For further information contact: Fred Helsen - 01294 274086
Marymass Bingo Night - Vineburgh Community Centre -
7.00 - 9.00 pm
For further information contact@ Louise Condon 317156
Opening day - Thursday
Marymass Local History Exhibition - Glasgow Vennel - 9.30 am - 1.00 pm then from 2.00 - 5.00 pm
Opening Ceremony Entertainment - Irvine Town House 7.30 - 9.30pm, featuring the Festival Roadshow and the winners of the Vineburgh Pop Idol 2008 - sponsored by the Phoenix Group
Marymass Opening Ceremony
Announcement of the Captain of Irvine Carters Society,
Sashing of the
Marymass Queen Elect and her four Marys
Irvine Town House 9.30pm
Marymass Ex-Captain's Party
Marina Inn - 9.30pm till close
first Friday
Marymass Local History Exhibition - Glasgow Vennel - 9.30 am - 1.00 pm then from 2.00 - 5.00 pm
Marymass Tea Dance - Volunteer Rooms - 1.00-3.30 pm - featuring the great music of Charlie Jay - £1.90 incl. tea & biscuits - For further information contact: Willie Freckleton 01294 316463
Askol. Ha Brug Pipe Band - Bandstand, Bridgegate Square - 1.00pm - From Nantes, Brittany, in the Loire Valley. This 22 strong pipe band is led by Pipe Major Yves Tripon. Free event. - For further information contact: Willie Freckleton 01294 316463
Marymass Open Domino singles Competition - £1 per hand
Eglinton Arms Hotel 7.30 for 8.00 pm - For further information, contact May Deans
on (01294) 278553
Marymass Hells Bells - probably the greatest tribute to AC/DC in the
Universe!
Magnum Theatre - 7.30pm - £15 (standing) - Magnum Box Office 01294.313010
Marymass Live Band - Westcoast - Irvine No1 Celtic Sports Club - 9.00pm – Midnight - For further information contact – Margaret Gilchrist 01294 230368
first Saturday
see our special page on
the Fourth Port Parade
Marymass Fourth Port Parade - leaves from 2nd
Avenue at 10.00am.
Parade features Marymass Queen Elect and her four Marys, Captain of Irvine
Carters, horse drawn floats, bands and fancy dress.
For further information contact Bobby Sturgeon (01294) 311701
Marymass Gala Day with entertainment, children's races,
stalls and side shows - also Marymass Roadshow (sponsored by the
Phoenix Group) - also Marymass Special Highland Games (for people with
additional support needs -
for further info contact Isobel Gracey 01294.278825)
Low Green 12.00 noon – 5.00pm
Marymass Local History Exhibition - Glasgow Vennel - 10.00 am - 1.00 pm then from 2.00 - 5.00 pm
Caledonian Piping Club - Bandstand, Bridgegate Square - 1.00pm - For further information contact: Willie Freckleton 01294 31646
Marymass Fireworks Roadshow - Music, fun and entertainment
- Irvine Moor 7 – 9.45 pm
Sponsored by Co-operative Group (Scotland)
Eddi Reader in Concert - Magnum Concert Hall 7.30pm
Eddi Reader returns to the Magnum stage for the first time in nearly twenty
years. Featuring Boo Hewerdine.
SPONSORED BY RIVERGATE SHOPPING CENTRE.
Tickets £17.50, Ticket Master 0870 169 0100 - Box Office Telephone: 01293 313010
- For further information contact: Willie Freckleton 01294 316463
Side Splitters Marymass Special - Harbour
Arts Centre - 9.00pm
Yes its back, get out the brollies, grease up the pole, and once again it’s time
for the Side Splitters Marymass Special. This month presents a great opportunity
to see some of the most requested and best acts from the Scottish comedy scene,
including the return of MC, Irvine’s own Billy Kirkwood, Only an Excuse Kingpin
Philip Differ, the hilarious John Ross and the return of club favourite and
Airdrie legend the great Patrick Rollink. Book now as this Marymass institution
will set out fast!
Tickets £5.00 - For further information contact: Harbour Arts Centre -
01294 274059
Festival of Light Procession
Departs Irvine High Street 9.00pm for Irvine Moor. Sponsored by the
Phoenix Group.
Firework Spectacular - Irvine Moor 9.45pm - the skies of Irvine will be illuminated at this dazzling firework spectacular.
Marymass Live Band – Cover to Cover - Irvine No1 Celtic Sports Club - 9.00pm – 12.30am
first Sunday
39th Marymass Small Boat Festival - Irvine Water Sports Club - registration
8.00 am
Open to anyone who wishes to take part in this event. All boats must have
adequate life saving equipment aboard and must have life jackets for any
juniors.
Contact William Main 01294 278294
Kirkin' of the Captain of Irvine Carters Society
Parade from Irvine Town House 10.30am. Old Parish Church 10.45am.
Marymass Jazz - with New Orleans Joymakers
- 2.00 - 4.30 pm
Back with their own unique style of jazz is one of Scotland’s finest jazz bands,
the New Orleans Joymakers. Join us for this special Marymass festival
performance with Alastair McDonald, who is probably best known as ‘the folk
singing jazz banjo player from Scotland’. Harbour Arts Centre 01294 274059
Marymass Boat Race - Irvine Harbour - 11.00am - Dinghy Boat Race around Irvine Harbour. - For more information contact: Ian Currie 01294 213716
Marymass Junior Boxing Event - Vineburgh Community Centre - 12noon – 7.00pm - For further information contact: Alec Mullen 01294 317156
Marymass Darts - Irvine Water Sports Club - 12noon - Annual Marymass darts competition. 12noon Registration. - For further information contact: Jim Robertson 01294 274981
Irvine Rugby Club Marymass 7’s - Irvine Sports Club - 12noon - 5.00pm - Irvine Rugby Club are running a 7’s tournament featuring all local rugby clubs and some guest teams, family fun day with lots of attractions. - For further information contact: Robert Auld 01294 276278
Marymass Quiz - Irvine No1 Celtic Sports Club - 4.00pm - Many prizes to be won - For further information contact: Margaret Gilchrist 01294 230368
Roots of Americana Show: The Wilders - Magnum Theatre - 7.30pm -
Hillbilly Hurricane, The Wilders from Kansas City, Missouri.
With special guests Special Ed & The Shortbus, from Virginia. In a Bluegrass
old-time blast. Not to be missed. Tickets £12.00/£10.00 conc. - Box office
telephone: 01294 313010
main week Monday
Marymass Local History Exhibition - Glasgow Vennel - 9.30 am - 1.00 pm then from 2.00 - 5.00 pm
NASAD Marymass Carpet Bowls Championship - event for people with additional
support needs (various categories)
Magnum Bowls Hall - 10.30 am - 3.30 pm - contact Isobel Gracey 01294.278825
main week Tuesday
Marymass Local History Exhibition - Glasgow Vennel - 9.30 am - 1.00 pm then from 2.00 - 5.00 pm
Marymass Mile Races including Young Athletes Events - Irvine
Sports Club
7.00pm
For further information, contact Andrew Rennie 274772
Marymass Folk Night - Marina Inn - 9.00 pm to close
main week Wednesday
Marymass Fairground - Irvine Moor 6 - 10 pm
Marymass Dog Show - Volunteer Rooms - 6.15pm - Fun dog shows in aid of CHC Sargent. Fun for all the family cross breeds & pedigree dogs. Entries taken on the night. Doors open 6.15pm. Raffle donations are welcome. Prizes and rosettes for all classes.
Marymass 10k Road Race - Irvine Sports Club 7.30pm
7.30 pm - registrations from 6.00 pm
For further information, contact Andrew Rennie 274772
Random Accomplice and Harbour Arts Centre present ‘Mary Massacre’ - Harbour
Arts Centre - 7.30pm - £5.00
It’s Marymass Fair and something wicked is in the air… The big wheel’s stuck
with Debs at the top, the horses keep stampeding and one of the Marys has been
struck by a low-flying seagull. The only people smiling here are the Crows, the
supposed local psychics waiting for you to cross their palm with silver. A word
of advice, you really don’t want to cross the Crows. Mary Massacre is a
hilarious new black comedy for Marymass.
For further information contact: Harbour Arts Centre 01294 274059
Opening of the 41st Marymass Folk Festival - Vineburgh Community
Centre - 8.00pm – 11.00pm - Tickets £4.00
The Open Stage Competition. The Marymass Queen 2007 will open the Festival
followed by Marymass Queen Elect 2008. For further information contact: Joyce
Hodge 01294 551047
main week Thursday -
Marymass Local History Exhibition - Glasgow Vennel - 9.30 am - 1.00 pm then from 2.00 - 5.00 pm
Marymass Folk Festival - Lunchtime Folk session with the Festival
Guests
Marina Inn 12.30pm – 2.00pm
Admission Free
For further information on the Folk Festival contact Joyce Hodge (01294) 551047
Marymass Folk Festival - Volunteer Rooms - 2.00pm – 4.00pm
Concert for senior citizens, sponsored by Irvine Rotary Club, with the Festival
guests and friends. Admission by free ticket.
For further information contact: Joyce Hodge 01294 551047
Marymass Lawn Bowling - Irvine Parks - 11.00am – 3.00pm
For people with additional support needs (various categories)
For further information contact: Isobel Gracey 01294 278825
Marymass Bowling Competition Finals - Irvine Park
Bowling Club 6.00pm - Free Entry
Final of the bowling competition that has been running since the beginning of
August.
For further information contact: Ian Kerr 01294 273349
Marymass Folk Festival Concert
Tam White with Alan Price, plus Johnny Silvo & Hans Graaswold, Fil Campbell, Tom
McFarland & Brenda Emmett
Volunteer Rooms, Irvine 7.30pm – 11.00pm - Admission £12
For further information contact Joyce Hodge (01294) 551047
Marymass Fairground - Irvine Moor 6 - 10 pm
Random Accomplice and Harbour Arts Centre present ‘Mary Massacre’ Harbour
Arts Centre 7.30pm £5.00
It’s Marymass Fair and something wicked is in the air… The big wheel’s stuck
with Debs at the top, the horses keep stampeding and one of the Marys has been
struck by a low-flying seagull. The only people smiling here are the Crows, the
supposed local psychics waiting for you to cross their palm with silver. A word
of advice, you really don’t want to cross the Crows. Mary Massacre is a
hilarious new black comedy for Marymass.
For further information contact: 01294 274059
Marymass Scottish/Swedish Music Night Magnum Theatre 7.30pm
Traditional Music groups from North Ayrshire and young musician from the World
Wide Orchestra. This group of 9 traditional players are based in the west coast
of Sweden. They perform music from around the world including the Scandinavian
countries. Admission by complimentary ticket available from Magnum Box Office.
Tel: 01294 313010. For further information contact: Willie Freckleton 01294
316463
Marymass Folk Festival - The After Concert
Singaround Session (open to concert goers only)
Volunteer Rooms, 11.00pm-ish till late
For further information contact Joyce Hodge (01294) 551047
main week Friday
Marymass Local History Exhibition - Glasgow Vennel - 9.30 am - 1.00 pm then from 2.00 - 5.00 pm
Marymass Target Fishing - Volunteer Rooms 10.00am – 2.30pm
Come along and join in, relax and have some fun. Suitable for both disabled and
able bodied persons.
For further information contact: David Boyd 01294 270100
Marymass Chess Congress - Irvine Royal Academy - 4.30 - 11.00 pm
Annual chess event held in Irvine since 1973, featuring the best players in Scotland with a sprinkling of Grand
Masters and International Masters of Chess
For further information contact Stephen Clark (01294) 278638
Marymass Folk Festival at School! -
With the Festival Guests and friends
Sponsored by Irvine Rotary Club
Haysholm School, Stanecastle School and John Galt Primary 11.00am – 12noon - not
open to the public
For further information contact Joyce Hodge 551047
Marymass Folk Festival - Marina Inn - 12.30pm – 2.00pm
Lunchtime folk session with Festival guests and friends.
For further information contact: Joyce Hodge 01294 551047
Marymass Lyra Celtica and Pete Clarke - Bandstand, Bridgegate Square. -
12.30pm till 2.00pm
A Folk Festival concert featuring Frank McGuire, Mark Cannon and World Famous
accordionist Lynne Tocker. Free Event. For further information contact: Joyce
Hodge 01294 551047
Marymass Folk Festival - Concert for Red Cross House
Residents - not open to the public
With the Festival Guests and Friends
Folk Music at Options for Independence
Red Cross House 2 - 3 pm
Marymass Folk Festival - The Danny Kyle Tea-Time Folk
session
With the Festival Guests and Friends - The Marina Inn - 4.30pm -
6.00pm - Admission Free
Marymass Fairground - Irvine Moor 6 - 10 pm
Marymass Derby
Irvine Meadow v Irvine Victoria
Meadow Park 6.45pm - two "Auld Enemies" competing for the Marymass Trophy
info: Stewart Griffiths 01294.272885
Marymass Open Domino Doubles Competition
Eglinton Arms Hotel 7.30pm for 8.00pm
For further information contact May Deans (01294) 278553
Marymass Folk Festival - Volunteer Rooms - 7.30pm – 11.00pm
Sangsters plus festival guests. Tickets £12.00.
For further information contact: Joyce Hodge 01294 551047
Marymass Clairvoyance Evening - Magnum Theatre - 7.30pm - With Susan Blair
and Sally Lawrence
Tickets £10.50. Box office telephone number: 01294 313010
Random Accomplice and Harbour Arts Centre present ‘Mary Massacre’ Harbour
Arts Centre 7.30pm £5.00
It’s Marymass Fair and something wicked is in the air… The big wheel’s stuck
with Debs at the top, the horses keep stampeding and one of the Marys has been
struck by a low-flying seagull. The only people smiling here are the Crows, the
supposed local psychics waiting for you to cross their palm with silver. A word
of advice, you really don’t want to cross the Crows. Mary Massacre is a
hilarious new black comedy for Marymass.
For further information contact: 01294 274059
Marymass Live Band - The Hat - Turf Hotel - 9.00pm – 12.30pm
For further information contact: Kevin White 01294 275836
Marymass Karaoke - Marina Inn - 9.30pm to close
For further information contact: Andy Tremble 01294 275515
Marymass Folk Festival - Volunteer Rooms - 11.00pm-ish-until late
The after concert sing-around session. Open to concert-goers only.
For further information contact: Joyce Hodge 01294 551047
second Saturday - Marymass Saturday
Judging of Horses in Procession - Golffields Road 8.30am
Procession Begins - Golffields Road 9.30am
- parade route is on our Getting There page.
One of the biggest and best parades around
and also unique as all participating vehicles must be horse drawn. Witness the
colour, pageantry and soak up the carnival atmosphere of this great tradition
Pre-Crowning Entertainment
Irvine Town House 11.00am - sponsored by Glaxo SmithKline
Marymass Folk Festival - The Marymass Saturday Bash
- With the Festival Guests and Friends
The Woodlands Centre, Kilwinning Road 11.00am – 3.00pm
£1 adults, 50p children
Crowning of Marymass Queen - Irvine Town House 12 noon
Parade to Irvine Moor - Town Centre 12.30pm
Marymass at the Moor - 1.00 - 5.00 pm
Entertainment for all the family. Events include Codona's fairground, horse
racing, side shows, exhibitions and displays. An event not to be missed.
Marymass Roadshow sponsored by Phoenix Group.
Marymass Horse Races - Irvine Moor 1.00pm – 4.50pm
Procession Returns to Town - leaves Irvine Moor 5.00pm
Marymass Local History Exhibition - Glasgow Vennel - 10.00 am - 1.00 pm then from 2.00 - 5.00 pm
Marymass Chess Congress - Irvine Royal Academy - 9.00
am - 7.00 pm
Annual chess event held in Irvine since 1973
For further information contact Stephen Clark (01294) 278638
Marymass 4 a-side Football Festival - Magnum Grass Pitches - 10.30am – 12noon
Festival for 4 year olds to 7 year olds (Girls & Boys)
For further information contact: Craig Hamilton 01294 317464
Marymass Folk Festival - The famous Marymass Saturday Night Concert
- Volunteer Rooms 7.30pm- 11.00pm
with Alastair McDonald, with festival guests and
friends
Tickets £12.00adults / OAPs and Children £10.00.
Marymass Folk Festival - The After Concert
Singaround Session (open to concert-goers only)
The Volunteer Rooms 11pm-ish till late
Please note that only those who have supported the concerts can attend The
After Concert Singaround Sessions
Marymass Fairground - Irvine Moor 12 noon - 10 pm
second Sunday
Divine Service - Kirking of the Queen and Marys
Parade from Town House 10.30am, with the ParisPortDover Pipe Band
Old Parish Church 11.00am
Marymass Chess Congress - Irvine Royal Academy - 9.00
am - 7.30 pm
Annual chess event held in Irvine since 1973
For further information contact Stephen Clark (01294) 278638
Marymass Pool Competition
Irvine Water Sports Club 12.30 pm - three man team pool competition
Payment and registration by 12.30 pm - team members must be 14 years or over.
For further information, contact Grant Davidson 07968 387844
Marymass Horse Show - Eglinton Country Park - Starts at 9.00am
Equestrian Horse Show. 47 classes including showing and show jumping.
For further information contact: Liz McManus 07851 610968
Marymass Folk Festival - The Marymass Survivors’ Session
With the Festival Guests and Friends - Including the
keenly-contested World Whammy-Diddling Championship and the
difficult-to-follow World
Chuckie-Chucking Championship.
Go along and find out what they are!
Woodlands Centre, Kilwinning Road 2.00pm - 6.00pm - Admission Free
Divine Service - St. Mary’s Church 6.00pm - procession departs Castle Street 5.45 pm
Marymass Folk Festival - The Final Survivors' Session
Marina Inn 8.00 pm - late
Contact Joyce Hodge 551047
final day Monday
Marymass Local History Exhibition - Glasgow Vennel - 9.30 am - 1.00 pm then from 2.00 - 5.00 pm
Official Opening of the Marymass Flower Show - Volunteer Rooms 3 pm
Marymass Flower Show - Presentation of Prizes including Best Kept Garden Competition - Volunteer Rooms 7.30pm
Best-kept Garden Competition
Awards for the best Gardens (within the Community Council boundaries). Contact person is the Community Council Chairperson June Niven at 279144.
Trophies will be presented at the Flower Show on the last day of the Festival.
For previous winning gardens, see www.irvineayrshire.org/gardens.htm
News for 2008 - Eddi Reader to headline new Marymass Music Festival
Eddi Reader is to play in the Magnum Concert Hall on Saturday
16th August as part of the new Marymass Music Festival. North Ayrshire
Council, North
Ayrshire Leisure, the Rivergate Shopping Centre and Zisys AVMN
Limited are
co-sponsoring the event which will see Eddi Reader playing her
former home
town for the first time in 20 years.
The last time Eddi played in the Magnum was when her band Fairground Attraction had their number one hit with 'Perfect'. Eddi has gone on to have an outstanding recording and performing career, including her hits 'Find My Love' and 'Patience of Angels' and more than a dozen albums, including 'Eddi Reader Sings the Songs of Burns' and her latest solo album 'Peacetime'. She also appears on the recently-released 'What About Me?' album and film project, alongside such artists as Tim Robbins, Billy Connolly, Stephen Fry, Bob Geldof, Susan Sarandon, Michael Stipe, Alanis Morrisette, KD Lang and Stewart Copeland. In 2006 Eddi was awarded an MBE for her outstanding contribution to the Arts and in 2008 she received an honorary doctorate from Stirling University - her third honorary doctorate!
Eddi will be accompanied by guitarist and co-writer Boo Hewerdine and her band.Supporting Eddi on 16th August are local band Harmonica Jones and blues pianist and artist Paul James. Harmonica Jones had a strong following throughout the west of Scotland in the early nineties and their credits include many radio and TV performances. They will perform an acoustic set of mainly new material. Paul James is an established artist based in Dublin. Also a renowned pianist, Paul will perform some of his own blues compositions with his band.
For those with rockier tastes, Hells Bells, the AC/DC tribute band, will shake the Magnum on Friday 15th August. Hells Bells have been described by GWR FM as 'probably the greatest tribute to AC/DC in the Universe' and come recommended by Classic Rock Magazine. They have performed in Holland, Germany, Ireland and all over the UK including supports with former members of Whitesnake, Rainbow and Bad Company. Charismatic frontman Lee Jay marches, points, punches and screams his way through the AC/DC catalogue. Zisys AVMN will be putting a stadium-sized sound and light system into the Magnum for an unforgettable night.Hells Bells are supported by local rock favourites, Big Licks, who never disappoint, and the recently reformed Penetrations who will be a blast from the past for Ayrshire rockers.
Tickets for both shows are available from the Magnum Box Office on 01294 313010, www.zisysavmn.co.uk or www.ticketmaster.co.ukA song written by P6 Woodlands Primary School
with a little help from Billy Stewart from The New Makars Trust
THE IRVINE CARTERS
1. There is a boat riding low by the Irvine harbour wall
She’s weighed down by the cargo that is resting in her hold
Is it spices fae the Indies, is it cloth with thread of gold,
Makes nae difference for the Carters will be thereChorus
We’re the Carters of Irvine and we tramp the country roon
Hauling goods fae Irvine tae the merchants of the toons
We cart loads fae the big ships and bring loads back again
So the name of Irvine’s Carters will remain2. Summer, Spring, Autumn or Winter on them you can depend
If there’s ships to be unloaded then the Carters will be sent
Though the sun be burning brightly or the snow be on the wind
Makes nae difference for the Carters will be there3. Their mighty Clydesdale horses carried cargo on their backs
Fae Irvine up tae Glasgow along the old dirt tracks
The Carters they would lead them through weather fair or black
Makes nae difference for the Carters will be there4. At Marymass each year the Carters still are seen
And they take pride tae ride beside the bonnie Irvine Queen
And not a van or motor car or lorry will be seen
Only Carters and their horses will be there
Words: P6 Woodlands Primary (2006) and Billy
Stewart
Music: Billy Stewart