| Where: | Irvine, Ayrshire - parade starts at Golffields Road coronation at the Town's House on the High Street |
| When: | Mid August (main day is 2nd weekend of the festival - 3rd Saturday after 1st Monday of August) |
| Time: | 9.30am onwards, coronation at noon |
The Marymass Fair at Irvine began during the twelfth century and the name came from the Christian feast of the Assumption (when Mary ascended into heaven) – since the beginning there has always been a parade featuring a Marymass Queen. Over the festival period there are many concerts, exhibitions, talks, competitions, entertainments including fireworks and a funfair. The fair lasts twelve days in August and the main day is the second Saturday, known as Marymass Day or Traditions Day. In 1563 Mary Queen of Scots visited Irvine and ever since the parade has featured this Queen with her “Four Maries” and pages (the Four Maries were the Queen’s companions who all shared her christian name). The coronation takes place at midday at the Town’s House following the morning parade. Expect to see beautifully groomed and decorated Clydesdale horses, some mounted and others pulling carts and carriages, accompanied by riders and passengers in elaborate fancy dress.The afternoon’s activities include horse racing on Irvine Moor, which has been a feature of the festival since it began. It’s a well established and well-run event organised by the Irvine Carters Society.
Helpful Hints
In 2025 it should be from 14th to 25th August with Traditions Day on Saturday 23rd. Check the Facebook link below for updates.
Click here for the website: http://www.marymass.org
Click here for the Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/marymassfestival
I attend all flapping meetings Hawick, Langholm, Selkirk and of course Marymass. The track used for Marymass is great. There should be a two day meeting again. I am always asked the same question why not. Horse racing used to be a big part of Marymass lets get it back. The fields are a lot bigger this year coming as far a field as Ireland. Surely you can manage a two day meeting.
you got results from flapping
http://www.irvineayrshire.org/marymass/index2.htm brings up a Webpage cannot be found message.
Thanks Barbara!
I’ve removed the defunct link and added their new one at http://www.marymass.com
Best wishes,
Averil
New link not working, brings up message – That’s awkward, site not found!
Thanks Jean,
I’ve added another link for the Carter’s Society – as the currently non-working new site is still listed on the Carters site I guess it might just need fixing…time will tell! It seems to be having a few teething troubles.
Best Wishes,
Averil
Hi, just to let everyone know that the festival runs until the 22nd August to include the Marymass Flower Show which is held in the Volunteer Rooms at Parterre. Anyone interested in taking part can contact me on 01294 277461 or 07846980193. I can also be contacted by email and a schedule can be sent to you. The show is for amateurs and novices and includes cut flowers, pot plants, fruit and vegetables, needlework and handicrafts, floral art, baking/preserves and novice and children’s’ section.
Bill Anderson
Secretary
billand31@gmail.com
Hi Bill,
Thanks for the information about the flower show – I’ve added it into the Helpful Hints section on the website and all your details appear in the comments so hopefully that should get through to everyone!
Best wishes,
Averil
Hi folks,
The date for this year’s flower show will be on Monday 28th August All details as previous post. Through various circumstances, our committee has dwindled making it a bit more difficult to do everything, including attracting more entrants to the show. I’d like to remind everyone that it’s not the Chelsea flower show, so we only expect the quality that amateur growers produce. The most common reply, when someone is asked to take part, is my stuff’s not good enough. Rubbish! You should see some of the plants I put in to help fill the shelves. This is my first year at growing a cucumber. It doesn’t matter what it looks like – it’s going on the bench. We’re looking for cut flowers, pot plants, vegetables, floral art, baking and jams, craft-work and all sorts of needlework. We also have a novice section (just to get you started), a children’s section and our schools’ poster competition,
If you’d like more info; contact me and I’ll email or post a schedule. You’re more than welcome to tell your friends too.
Thanks for reading.
Bill Anderson.
01294 277461
078 469 80 193
billand31@gmail.com
Can the organisers make sure the horse dung is cleaned away asap? Last year the smell was nauseating.
Hi Richard,
Here at calendarcustoms we have no connection with the organisation of the Marymass Festival so you’ll need to get in touch with them direct at http://www.marymass.org or https://www.facebook.com/irvine.carters.
Best of luck,
Averil
Hi
Just wondering how you get permission to march on the Marymass parade. I am one of the admin group from the Fit Ayrshire Dads which is an online group created on Facebook. We use this group to support health and mental well being to the men of Ayrshire. We organise runs from beginner to marathons, football, badminton, tough mudders and recently just walked at Kiltwalk raising nearly 10k for Whitlees retreat. It’s a free non judgemental group so please check us out. We would be looking to march with a banner and probably around 30-40 men then over the moors just hand a few leaflets out promoting the site and hoping we can connect with people to start there journey of mental well being
Hi Levi,
Here at calendar customs we’re not connected to the organisation of the Parade, but I expect such a good cause will be very welcome to take part. Follow the link to info@marymass.org to email the organisers, or send a Facebook message to https://www.facebook.com/irvine.carters and I’m sure they’ll be able to tell you all about it!
Best wishes,
Averil
Hi when is the dog show on this year
Hi Derek,
It’s on Wednesday evening at 7pm at the Volunteer Rooms – full details are at https://marymassfestival.co.uk/whats-on if you scroll down the page. Best of luck!
Averil
What is the point in this because of the cornavirus 🤔🤔🤔😔😔
It will just get too busy and there will be a better chance of people getting it !!!!!
Just in the last day, the festival organisers have announced its cancellation so I will be amending the post today. I fully expect most if not all events of this kind will be cancelled or postponed for quite a long period, and am working through them as announcements are made, though as the Marymass Festival isn’t normally held until August and it’s now April 6th there’s plenty of time. You should have seen the heading above every article on the site : “Please note that many events in 2020 could be cancelled, postponed or changed, sometimes at very short notice. Always check with event organisers for the latest updates – calendarcustoms.com is NOT directly connected with the organisation of any featured event”. and the one on the Homepage: “CORONAVIRUS/COVID-19: calendarcustoms.com hopes to resume normal service as soon as possible, but for now many events are being cancelled or postponed — particularly through April and early May. Definite cancellations will be recorded when known, but please bear in mind that any future dating is tentative and may be subject to change. Please check with individual event organisers before you travel!”
I’ll be working my way through all the posts to alter the wording over the next weeks.
Stay safe,
Averil
Will the parade go past Broomlands Drive on Marymass
You’ll need to check that with the organisers at https://www.facebook.com/marymassfestival – they’ll also put up any late changes to the programme on the FB page so that’ll be the best place to check.
I would avoid this festival if you don’t like orange flute bands, going through the town playing sectarian tunes, often accompanied by hangers on, that sing along to these tunes