Walk the street bearing the name of Robert Burns, whose favourite haunt was Scotland, Irvine. The history of this small town on the River Irvine dates back to 1140, when it was granted burgh status. The coal industry was very important to the economy of the town as the harbour relied heavily on coal exports for its business. With a downturn in the demand for coal came high unemployment rates in Irvine and people started to leave to look elsewhere for work. However, with the establishment of the Volvo truck plant and the large paper mill just south of town, the economy started to rise once more in the 1990’s. Although the Volvo business no longer exists, Irvine is now thriving.
The centre of Irvine has many inviting tourist attractions for its visitors. It is home to the largest recreation centre in the country with the Magnum Centre. Here you will find an indoor and an outdoor pool, both of which are heated, a concert hall that can seat 1200 and a cinema with seating for 350. Although there is modern housing in Irvine, many traditional cottages remain which add to the charm of the town. The Scottish maritime Museum operates from three sites along the River Irvine and tells the story of the shipbuilding industry on the River Clyde. Some of the attractions are the large ship engines, floating vessels and a typical room and kitchen where the early workers would have lived.
Town House is a must see on your itinerary with its octagonal shaped lantern and the tall spire of the Irvine Parish Church, built in the late 1800’s, is easy to see against the skyline, On you way to the downtown section of Irvine, you just have to walk along Hill Street with its outdoor lanterns reflecting an earlier age in this town. The stores in the downtown shopping area are all quite modern in stark contrast to nearby sections. Overlooking the peaceful tranquility of Irvine, is the impressive Trinity Church. Although it has fallen into a state of disrepair, it is still a magnificent sight to behold.
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