The district of North Ayrshire comprises of Skelmorlie, Largs, Fairlie, West Kilbride, Ardrossan, Saltcoats, Stevenston, Irvine, Dreghorn, Kilwinning, Dalry, Kilbirnie, Beith, and the Isles of Arran and Cumbrae.

North Ayrshire Council’s Local History Library has recently relocated from Library Headquarters in Ardrossan to the historic Glasgow Vennel in Irvine, the site of the old Heckling Shed where Robert Burns learnt his flax trade.  Now known as The Vennel Local and Family History Centre the facility houses collections relating to Ayrshire and Scotland including books, pamphlets, directories, maps, postcards, photographs, newspapers and an extensive archive collection.

We also have an extensive genealogy section for those wishing to trace their Ayrshire ancestry. 

We offer a research service for those unable to visit the centre personally, and staff at the centre will happily lend a hand to anyone who calls in to carry out their own research.

The library is available to anyone, from academics to amateur enthusiasts or casual browsers.

We welcome your visit, whatever your interest!