Celebration of Dunure Harbour Bicentennial

Celebration of Dunure Harbour Bicentennial

On 6th May 1811 King George III signed the Act of Parliament for

erecting and maintaining a Harbour, and Works connected therewith, at Dunure, in the County of Ayr

thereby allowing the owner, Thomas Kennedy of Dunure, Esquire, to levy Duties upon vessels entering the Harbour and levy Rates upon Commodities which shall be exported or imported in the Vessels..

This May, 200 years later, we will be celebrating the event.

The whole village is awash with ideas and volunteers are busy planning our celebration week which starts on Sunday 15th May. Throughout that week there will be an Exhibition, in the Kennedy Hall, of Dunure and its’ Harbour through the ages. It will include Charts, Maps, Fishing Boats, Fishing Methods, Displays of Memorabilia etc. and all things Seafaring. A detailed Programme of Activities will be available shortly.

On Friday 20th May the focus in the day will be on children and parents. Our Boats and Harbour will be dressed and ready to show off crafts such as Knotting, Fishing Net making, Rope splicing and Lobster Pot making. There will be Story Telling, Traditional Music and Games like hopscotch and skittles. Watch out too for Magicians. In the evening there will be a quiz on Local Knowledge and History in the Dunure Inn followed by a musical gathering - bring along an instrument if you have one.

Saturday 21st May is the main day and our harbour will be buzzing with activities. Everyone will be encouraged to be in traditional costume. We already have access to quite a lot but hopefully there will be activities, in the lead up to the Festival, making up more especially for the school children.

In addition to the official opening there will be a mock re-enactment of the Charter of Ownership being landed by boat and formally presented to

Thomas Kennedy of Dunure, Esquire, his Heirs, Successors, and Assignees, who are empowered to put the Act in Execution.

Throughout the day there will be live staged music and wandering minstrels entertaining the crowd with their version of sea shanties.

There will be a beer tent, barbeque, and a traditional cooking. For the more genteel there will be tea, coffee and cakes.

Children’s games and entertainment have been organised. Raft races and tug-o-war in the Harbour.

In the evening we will be entertained by the Carradale Player with a diverse range of activities using film, drama and music. The night will climax with a village ceilidh and a flash, bang, wallop fireworks display at midnight.

For more information please contact:

Kevin Murphy, PR & Publicity: 01292 500421 07715 369929

kevinmurphy2004@hotmail.co.uk

Make sure you have Saturday 21st May clear

for a

FULL DAY & NIGHT of Celebrations


Please keep checking back to keep up to date as plans develop

Bicentennial Celebration Saturday 21st May 2011