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A (very) brief history of Kilbirnie

15 Dec 2008
  • Photo by R. Edwards
  • Memorial Gate. Photo © Bill Anderson

Evidence shows that Kilbirnie was inhabited during the Bronze Age. It was many years later however, that due to the weaving and flax industry, Kilbirnie really became established. Here are a few important historical dates:

15th Century - Auld Kirk parish church built.
15th Century - Glengarnock Castle built.
1778: The Knox Mill Company registered

1824 - West Free church built.
1862 - St Bridget's Roman Catholic church built.
1869 - Ladyland School built.
1874 - Kilbirnie football club formed.
World War Two - enemy plane shot down north of Kilbirnie (debris can still be seen).
1971 - Garnock Academy opens.

Now it's your turn.

Above are just a few important dates - there's far more to the heritage of the town. There's a lot of interest in local history, and lots and lots of local knowledge. And here's your chance to tell everyone about it.
If you have an interest in the history of Kilbirnie - either in general or in specific points - then you can post it here. There must be many, many pictures of the village from throughout the 20th century - why not post them here, and ask other people what they remember?

s1kilbirnie is your site, so be one of the first to help build it!


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3 Dec 2008 | 7:38:47

Siobhan Samson says

Could someone explain the history of the Memorial Gate and why it sits where it does. Did it used to be attached to something else like a boundary wall?

12 Dec 2008 | 5:57:17

Charles Dudgeon says

Also interesting that the date of the end of the First World War is given as 1919. Technically correct, but most others give 1918. Anyone have any idea why it was decided to put 1919 on the memorial?

16 Dec 2008 | 4:48:35

jon law says

The war memorial gate was erected in 8th October 1922 an the entrance way to the at that time new public park, it was attatched to steel railings the remnants of which still exist only at the bottom of the park.
Here is the official war memorial website literature on the war memorial;

Inscription
1914 PRO PATRIA MORTUI 1919/ (names on plaques)
The date of 1919 is for the service men who died between the years of 1914 to 1919 from their injuries.

Components
Component Material(s) Height Width Depth Condition
GATES STONE 8-9m 8-9m 1-1.5m GOOD
PLAQUES STONE GOOD

Physical Description
Neo-Greek memorial gate with four bronze plaques listing names of WW1 and WW2 dead. Wreaths have been carved on each side. Atop gates are two carved stone torches.

Wars Commemorated & People Remembered
War FIRST WORLD WAR
Total names on memorial: 159
Served & Returned 0
Died 159
Is this an exact count? Yes, an exact count
How are the names ordered? surname
What information is listed on the memorial? surname, regiment, forename
Is a list of names on the memorial held by the UKNIWM? Yes
War SECOND WORLD WAR
Total names on memorial: 54
Served & Returned 0
Died 54
Is this an exact count? Yes, an exact count
How are the names ordered? surname
What information is listed on the memorial? surname, regiment, forename
Is a list of names on the memorial held by the UKNIWM? Yes

Maintenance
Are the letters difficult to read? No
Who is responsible for the memorial?

Maintenance History: Photo from unveiling shows glass torches atop gate, probably with real lights, which have since been replaced by carved stone torches.

Ceremonies
Date: 07 October 1922
Role Performed By
UNVEILING Major General Sir Charles Mathew
DEDICATION LOCAL CLERGY/DIGNITARIES

Sponsorship
Sponsorship Type: None
Did this include a trust or scholarship? No
Did this include a roll of honour? No
Cost of Site: Not known
Cost of Memorial: Not known
Comments on Costs:

Craftsmen
Name Occupation
James Houston DESIGNER (Kilbirnie Architect)

References
Co-ordinator's Comments: Seventeen acre park opened with dedication of gate.

Comments:
Photographs: 6
Other Documents: None
Form / Letter: F
Negatives: No
Drawings / Plans: No
Minutes: No
Press Cuttings: 1
Publication Name Author Date Published Page / Date Other Information
The Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald 13 Oct 1922.
Memorial Tools

16 Dec 2008 | 8:15:33

Siobhan Samson says

Thank you for your help in this matter.

1 Feb 2009 | 1:30:52

K Mc says

Is it true we have the oldest church in Scotland?

2 Feb 2009 | 11:37:35

jon law says

No, we don't have the oldest church, St Andrews Cathedral established 1160, Glasgow Cathedral 1197. We do have one of the oldest continously used sites of Christian worship though, at the Barony Church site.

20 Jun 2009 | 8:45:52

Steven says

Can someone please post pictures of RDL at Glengarnock otherwise known as the Girder Shop. I have searched the internet and can't seem to find any.

12 Sep 2009 | 10:48:24

ann vidler says

my brother done his apprenticeship at the girder shop, we lived in lochwinnoch, it has some amazing photos -- schools going back to 1930's why are there none for kilbirnie, my dad kilbirnie man was trying to find out some info -- but nothing

14 Jan 2010 | 1:49:37

ian mcvarrie says

Anyone have photos of Ladyland school?

11 Feb 2010 | 7:04:43

Janet Helman (Hynds) says

I am starting to research my mums childhood growing up there in Kilbirnie. She was born in 1914 so may not be many around that remember them Dick and Elizabeth Hynds and their children, Jake, Chrissie, Bessie (Betty, my mum), and Margaret. Where would you suggest I start looking to get some info? I only know that my Granddad worked in the mines and my Grandmother was a midwife in the village, known as Black Bessie (her hair color, not her heart!) I'm just sending this into cyberspace in case anyone has suggestions! Thanks!

19 Feb 2010 | 4:23:56

ian mcvarrie says

my name is ian mcvarrie i was at ladyland school 1975 but dont have any pictures and would dearly love to see some if anyone out there has any they would like to share. ive been away from kilbirnie from 1984 and just found out the school has since been demolished . i liked that school and all the teachers in it . i know mrs lang is still alive . but dont know about any others . help would be very much appreciated . ianmcvarrie@hotmail.co.uk

22 May 2010 | 8:57:32

Archie McMillan says

i remember mam wylie +her husband Mr Wylie,and yes Mrs Lang a nice

person.im going back to 1965-1968. in those days Kilbirnie seemed like

a city when your only 10. lots of shops ie duncans,templetons.galbraiths,all long gone.

 

27 Jun 2010 | 7:32:22

John Millar says

Your correct Archie......remember you (and your family) very well at School and living across the road from me at 26 Lynn Drive.

Remember your father working on the coal lorry and giving my family the catch of the day................it was greatly appreciated.

Do you remember me?.

 

 

29 Jun 2010 | 6:10:36

Archie McMillan says

Yes John i remember you,time goes bye way too fast.

I havent been in Kilbirnie for many years,do my sisters still live there

{Andrea,Jacqueline} ?.

14 Jul 2010 | 10:08:05

John Crawford says

When we first moved to Kilbirnie in 1962 my pals took me cycling along a road between the Glengarnock/Beith Road, and the Dalry/Beith Road. They called it the 'tee-anna falls' road (not sure about the spelling!). Does anybody know why it got its name and what's the correct spelling?  

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