North Ayrshire's Yesterd@ys
Irvine - Marymass Festival
It is possible to date the Marymass festival to around the late 14th century, as this is one of the first instances of the festival being referred to in relation to the Virgin Mary. In 1386 the town rented land from Rober II to build a new tollbooth, the fee was one silver penny, which Rober II requested be paid on the banquette of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin.
The town had, for a long time, three fairs, all celebrated at the later months of the year. In the month of August each year a great feast was held in the honour of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The modern Marymass festival is still celebrated in mid August, although during the 18th century the festival was re-associated with Mary Queen of Scots in celebration of her alleged visit to the town in the 16th century. Along with this change came the pageantry we associate with the festival today. The tradition of the Marymass queen did not appear until 1928 when Martha McHarg became the first queen.
Today the Marymass festival is mainly held at the towns moor, with the Queen’s crowning ceremony taking place outside of the townhouse. In this photograph we can see that a fairground has been erected outside of the town house.
For more information on the Yesterd@ys project, please visit Our Website, or email us at NAHeritage@North-Ayrshire.gov.uk
DISCLAIMER
All archival images on this website have been made available by The North Ayrshire Council in good faith for reference and/or educational purposes only and without intent to breach any proprietary rights which may subsist in the work. Images may not be printed, copied, distributed, published or used for any commercial purposes without the prior written consent of the individual or body which holds such rights. Should any alleged breach of proprietary rights be brought to the attention of The North Ayrshire Council, relevant material will be removed from the website with immediate effect.
The North Ayrshire Council is not responsible for the content, reliability or availability of external websites and cannot be held liable for any loss or damage to the user, of whatever kind, arising either directly or indirectly from use of same. Listing should not be taken as an endorsement of any kind and in particular, of views expressed within any such site.
Irvine - Marymass Festival
It is possible to date the Marymass festival to around the late 14th century, as this is one of the first instances of the festival being referred to in relation to the Virgin Mary. In 1386 the town rented land from Rober II to build a new tollbooth, the fee was one silver penny, which Rober II requested be paid on the banquette of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin.
The town had, for a long time, three fairs, all celebrated at the later months of the year. In the month of August each year a great feast was held in the honour of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The modern Marymass festival is still celebrated in mid August, although during the 18th century the festival was re-associated with Mary Queen of Scots in celebration of her alleged visit to the town in the 16th century. Along with this change came the pageantry we associate with the festival today. The tradition of the Marymass queen did not appear until 1928 when Martha McHarg became the first queen.
Today the Marymass festival is mainly held at the towns moor, with the Queen’s crowning ceremony taking place outside of the townhouse. In this photograph we can see that a fairground has been erected outside of the town house.
For more information on the Yesterd@ys project, please visit Our Website, or email us at NAHeritage@North-Ayrshire.gov.uk
DISCLAIMER
All archival images on this website have been made available by The North Ayrshire Council in good faith for reference and/or educational purposes only and without intent to breach any proprietary rights which may subsist in the work. Images may not be printed, copied, distributed, published or used for any commercial purposes without the prior written consent of the individual or body which holds such rights. Should any alleged breach of proprietary rights be brought to the attention of The North Ayrshire Council, relevant material will be removed from the website with immediate effect.
The North Ayrshire Council is not responsible for the content, reliability or availability of external websites and cannot be held liable for any loss or damage to the user, of whatever kind, arising either directly or indirectly from use of same. Listing should not be taken as an endorsement of any kind and in particular, of views expressed within any such site.