Irvine to host five day Burns extravaganza

Nov 20 2009 by Lorraine Howard, Irvine Herald

Irvine is to host the climax to Scotland’s Homecoming Festival with a weekend of 35 Burns themed events.

And newspaper columnist Tom Shields is even cutting short a holiday in Barcelona to attend an intimate dinner at Irvine’s Ship Inn.

The marathon of events, to run from Thursday, November 26, to Monday, November 30, will see dinners, concerts and even walks in the footsteps of Scotland’s favourite poet.

They will coincide with the first showing of the exhibition, Dear Mister Burns... featuring letters from honorary members of Irvine Burns Club including film stars, politicians, literary giants and sporting heroes.

And the Irvine club have a good reason for hosting so many events – they want to put Irvine on the global map as the town that inspired the poet.

Past president of the club, Bill Nolan, who has spent the last year coordinating events with the other members, explained: “It was in Eglinton Woods that Burns realised his poetry could be good enough for the rest of the world to read.

“And it was a chance meeting with Captain Brown at Irvine harbour that encouraged him to publish his work.

“Irvine was the cradle of the poet and as a club we believe that the town should be put firmly on the Burns map.

“So often, other parts of Ayrshire are linked with poets and tap into the tourist industry because of that.

“Irvine should be seen as a cradle for this poet’s development and we believe that it is something we can help boost the town with.”

All of the events over the five days will run alongside the exhibitions of letters.

And Bill was hoping to go to as many events as he can before he has to jet off to Dublin to host a rugby dinner on Sunday.

“There’s really something for everyone of all ages and I will be trying to cram in as much as I can before I have to go.

“The Captain Brown’s Table dinner at the Ship Inn is the first of its kind and sold out in 54 minutes.

“Tom Shields is even cutting short a holiday in Spain to come over to take part in the intimate night – it’s a world first.

“New Zealand singer Emily Smith will be there too, it promises to be something very special.

“I think the Pies, Pints and Poets events will be great fun.

“We’ll only have about 20 minutes in each pub, just time for a quick one and a poem, it will be great fun.”

And for the first time in 14 years an inter-denominational Songs of Praise will be held in the town with Father Willie Boyd and Minister Robert Travers conducting the service at the town’s Old Parish Church.

And Burns’ great great granddaughter Elsie-May Coom will be one of the guests at the Honorary Members’ Dinner on Friday.

Here is a programme of all the events happening:

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26:

Eglinton Park, 10am and 2pm: Burns in Eglinton Woods.

Heckling Shed, Glasgow Vennel, 10am to 4pm: Who Do You Think You Are? Geneology session.

Wellwood, Burns Club: 11am to 4pm: Writers’ Tales, Burns in Irvine. St Andrew’s Concert at 7pm.

The Eglinton, The Crown, The Turf, The Kings, 7.30pm to 9.30pm: Pies, Pints and Poets.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27:

Eglinton Park, 10am and 2pm: Burns in Eglinton Woods.

Glasgow Vennel, 10am to 4pm: Who Do You Think You Are?

Wellwood, 10am to 4.30pm: Writers’ Tales; Burns in Irvine.

Gailes Hotel, 1pm: Honorary Members’ Lunch.

The Porthead, The Ship Inn, 12.30pm to 2pm: Pies, Pints and Poets.

Eglinton Park, 7.30pm: Traditional Music showcase.

Ship Inn: Captain Brown’s Table dinner with Tom Shields.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 28:

Eglinton Park, 10am, noon, 2pm: Burns in Eglinton Woods.

10.30am to 4pm, Wellwood: Burns in Irvine; Writers’ Tales.

Glasgow Vennel, 10am to 4pm: Who Do You Think You Are?

10.30am to noon, Irvine Library: Burns for Bairns.

11am and 2pm, Old Parish Churchyard: Gravestones tour.

Harbour Arts Centre, 2pm and 3.30pm: The Life and Times of Robert Burns; 7.30pm: Ae Fond Kiss with Joni Keen.

The Ship Inn, 7.30pm: St Andrew’s Feast, whisky tasting.

Irvine Sports Club, 8pm: St Andrew’s Night Ceilidh.

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 29:

Eglinton Park, 10am and 1pm: Burns in Eglinton Woods.

Wellwood, 10.30am to 2pm: Burns in Irvine, Writers’ Tales.

Glasgow Vennel, 11am to 4pm: Who Do You Think You Are?

Old Parish Churchyard, 1pm: Gravestone tour.

Old Parish Church, 3pm: Inter-denominational Songs of Praise.

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 30:

Eglinton Park, 10am and 2pm: Burns in Eglinton Woods.

Glasgow Vennel, 11am to 4pm: Who Do You Think You Are?

Wellwood, 11am to 3pm: Writers’ Tales; Burns In Irvine.

Harbour Arts Centre, 6pm: Solas celebration of St Andrew’s Day with songs and a light show.