 There is still a yearly festival, called Marymass, held in the town.Marymass refers to the religious Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary celebrated on 15 August, and was therefore Mary's Mass hence Marymass.Irvine is the birthplace of the present First Minister of Scotland and leader of the Scottish National Party, Nicola Sturgeon as well as the former First Minister of Scotland, Jack McConnell.