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The Royal Burgh of Irvine The existence of Irvine was first recorded in 1163. The original port was near the Seagate where a castle was built to protect the port. Irvine was the principal market town in the County of Ayr and the Tollbooth was the location of the County Jail. The harbour suffered a set back when other ports on the Clyde expanded. The growth of Troon harbour for example , meant a loss of trade. The industrial expansion of Ayr and Kilmarnock was also drawing people away from Irvine. It was not until the mid 19th century with the opening of the shipbuilding yard and the arrival of Alfred Nobel at Ardeer, that things began to pick up. Irvine Development Corporation was set up in 1967 with a view expanding Irvine into one of the New Towns envisaged by the government of the day as the way forward. |
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| A new road system was put in place and the construction of several industrial estates, combined with government incentives, saw the arrival several multinationals, such as Digital, Volvo, Beechams, Hyster International and Wilsons Sporting goods, bringing over 2000 new jobs to the area which was suffering from a high rate of unemployment. |
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The old bridge over the river was demolished and a shopping mall was built in its place. High rise flats, council offices and a new shopping area, were built immediately to the west of the river. The houses in the harbour area were refurbished and the large grass area behind the beach, was landscaped. The town was given all of the recreational facilities associated with a town of this importance. New housing estates were built to accommodate the expected flood of people moving into the area from Glasgow but many of the new arrivals missed the city life and did not settle. Irvine has much to offer residents and visitors with its beautiful harbour, beach, shops, restaurants and sporting facilities. |
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