The Marymass Festival and Irvine Carters Society

The Marymass Festival at Irvine in Ayrshire, Scotland, is organised by Irvine Carters Society and North Ayrshire Council. Here we offer the history, the pictures and the events of this annual celebration.

 This year's Royals: Individual photos of Marymass Queen Courtney Finnigan, and her Marys Hayley Adair, Katie Belsey, Stephanie Kent & Toni Lennox, are now on the Our Queens ->This Year page. The 2007 photos appear by courtesy of Steve McKendrick and the "Irvine Herald".
The 2006 photo selection is on the Events/Photos -> 2006 page.
News for 2007 below
Main site at -> -> -> -> next page

The Canadians are Coming - The Ontario Massed Pipes and Drums will be participating in the Marymass Parade on Saturday 25 August. Led by Senior Pipe Major Ross Baxter, who has become a good friend of The Marymass Committee. Around 280 Canadians will be travelling to the Festival of which 150 will be taking part in the Parade. Ross is a fan of Marymass and keeps in touch throughout the year keeping abreast of the Festival’s progress and development.

Marymass Gala Day - The Marymass Gala Day gets better each year. The Marymass Queen elect will open the event at 12noon on Saturday 18 August. NASAD Highland Games, children’s races, a number of voluntary organisations will be there to meet the public and the Festival Roadshow with music, games and special events.

Festival of Light Procession - Last year a Festival of Light Procession was introduced which was highly successful. Building on that success this year’s procession will leave the High Street at 9.00pm, on Saturday 18 August. Featuring some amazing attractions, SHEBOOM and a celebration of 40 years of the Marymass Folk Festival. Not to be missed.

Marymass Saturday - The consumption of alcohol in public places will not be permitted. Please take note of this change from previous years. However, there will be a designated beer tent on Irvine Moor. It is hoped that these changes will make Marymass Saturday more enjoyable for all those in attendance.

The Marymass Development Committee and Inter-Agency Group -  The Marymass Development Committee and Inter-Agency Group meet throughout the year to plan and arrange the Festival and to ensure that a diverse and quality programme of events, which can be safely enjoyed by all, takes place.

2006 Royal Party Queen Kate Milner with her four Marys and her two page-boys, 
accompanied by Captain John Rorison

 

most photos on the site are by courtesy of the "Irvine Times" and Charlie Gilmour

 

Start here

items from  1867 - link on next page

Irvine Carters Society was first of all formed for business and charitable purposes and their history is as old as the Incorporated Trades of the Royal Burgh of Irvine. In 1753, 106 members subscribed to the 'Box' - this is said to have been the beginning of their charitable activities which continue to this day.

The Festival of Marymass dates back to the Middle Ages and it's the rich pageantry of this fair which draws old Irvinites home in August each year. Visitors too come from all over to enjoy the atmosphere and are never disappointed.

Interest in this fair appeared to be flagging a little in the late 1920s and credit is given to the then Provost of the Royal Burgh of Irvine, Peter S Clark, for first proposing that a Marymass Queen be chosen and crowned as a part of the ceremony. A meeting took place with the Captain of the Carters, James Sloan and members of his Society and so it was that Miss Martha McHarg, a pupil from Bank Street Primary School, was chosen to be the very first Marymass Queen in 1928. This added greatly to the event. Four local girls were also chosen to be the Queen's four Marys - as it was in the days of Mary, Queen of Scots - and two young boys were chosen to act as pages.

Although, in the 1910s, the trade of horse carter was destined to disappear in an era of motor transport, the Carters' Society survived, and the annual Marymass fair has gone from strength to strength. Entering the 21st century, the Irvine Carters Society is the only surviving carters society. No motorised vehicles are allowed in the parade.

 

 

 

 

temp