Irvine Carters Society - annual events

January
Annual Ceilidh
Attending the Burns Service in Irvine Old Parish Church - Sunday nearest the 25th

June
Half-yearly meeting, with announcement of Queen and Marys - second Mon.
Visit to Lanark's Lanimar Day Festival

August
Choosing of the Captain - Thurs. before start of Marymass, Volunteer Rooms, 7pm - late
Fourth Port Parade (am) and Gala Day (pm) at Irvine's Low Green - first Marymass Sat.
Kirkin' of the Captain at Irvine Old Parish Church - first Marymass Sun.
Marymass Saturday - second Marymass Sat.
Divine Service at Irvine Old Parish Church - second Marymass Sun. (am)
Divine Service at St Mary's Chapel, West Road - second Marymass Sun. (eve)
Annual Dance and Presentation of Prizes - Sat. after Marymass - Volunteer Rooms, 7.30pm -12.30 am

October
Attending Kirkin' of Deacon Convener of Incorporated Trades at Old Parish Church - Sun. after first Monday

November
Attending Remembrance Service at Old Parish Church and thereafter at War Memorial - Sun. nearest 11th
Annual General Meeting in Volunteer Rooms - last Mon.

A 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 there

Chorus
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 remain

2. 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 there

3. 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 there

4. 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

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Website launch July 2002, at the Heckling Shed, Glasgow Vennel right: 1949 Queen Mae McGinn with 2001 Marys Carissa Dickson & Jennifer Wallace photos courtesy of the Irvine Times Click to enlarge, and Back to return

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