Resources and information on Robert Burns and on Irvine, grouped under the five menus below
 

Welcome to Wellwood Burns Centre and Museum
- the home of Irvine Burns Club, established 1826, Scottish Charity No. SC018485
 

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The presentation to Hon. Pres. James Wilson:
Bill Cowan, Bill Nolan, Jed Wilson, Pres. Archie Chalmers,
Hon Pres James Wilson and Provost Ian Clarkson.

 

 

 

 

 

Watched over by the Bard -
President Archie Chalmers hosting
Dr Joseph J Morrow, Lord Lyon King of Arms,
and Bill Nolan, President of the Robert Burns World Federation,
at 'Wellwood' in March 2019.

 

 

 

 

 

The Provost's Civic Pride Awards - spring 2015
Irvine Burns Club, in partnership with the Irvine Lasses Burns Club, not only topped the Arts and Culture category, but was also awarded the Provost's prize as overall winners. Each year North Ayrshire Council recognises individuals and organisations who contribute significantly to the community.

 

Left: President Derek Murdoch holding the Civic Pride awards which recognise the contribution made to community life and heritage by the Irvine Burns Club and the Irvine Lasses Burns Club.

 

Right:The Friendship Cup - "Presented by Irvine Burns Club to Annie Small President of Irvine Lasses Burns Club to mark its 40th Anniversary, February 2015."

News & events

New in 2015: The long-lost (101 years) lifeboat station BAROMETER (1861-1914)
now on display in Wellwood Museum

New in 2016: The chair used by Burns in the back shop of Templeton's bookshop returns to Irvine after 107 years in Australia, and is now on display in 'Wellwood'
 

Good Morning Scotland programme - January 2013 but still of interest

Website items include:

 

The June 2015 return to Irvine of the Lifeboat Station Barometer is documented on our Irvine Harbourside page, under Resources > RNLI & Irvine 1861.


The 2014 newsletter (click to read), John Kelso Hunter , Capt. Gray , Burns in Edinburgh , Past Pres. James Miller 1964<
The revised Town Centre Walking Tour
The amazing story of the 'Planter' - a gallantly defended sea attack, its links with Irvine - and a mystery (can you help solve it?)!
Transcription of notes about the history of Irvine harbour, compiled by ex-Provost John Paterson in the 1880s, on our project site for Irvine Harbourside

 

The hoarding which throughout 2014 and most of 2015 brought the Bard to the centre of the Irvine community - click to enlarge it.

 

The Burns statue, donated by John Spiers in 1896, sculpted by James Pittendrigh Macgillivray, the scene of an annual wreath-laying ceremony on the January Sunday nearest the Bard's birthday.

 

In 1781 Robert Burns worked in Irvine. In 1781 Robert Burns worked in Irvine, where Captain Richard Brown encouraged Burns to publish his verse, and Burns kept up with current literature in William Templeton's shop. Burns found Irvine a 'wonderfully educative place' (Carswell). The late Sandy Macara was of the opinion that "Irvine is also where Burns caught the rheumatic fever that caused his death"!

 

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