Irishfreemasonry.com  Website.  

On   the   15th   January   2011,   we   officially   launched   the   new   irishfreemasonry  .com  website  to  provide  a  snapshot  into  Irish  Masonry  for  Brethren  around  the  globe.  We  are  now  celebrating  5  years  of  service  to   Irish  Freemasonry  and   in  that  time  our  site  has  been  visited  on  340,000  separate  occasions.  Our  visitors  come  from  some  143  countries  around  the  globe,  and  some  visit  the  site,  who  are  not  even  English  speakers.  

We  are  extremely  grateful  to  you  the  reader  /  visitor  for  your  ongoing  support  in  this  venture,  and  would  thank  all  of  you,  who  have  sent  in  photographs  and  articles  for  publication.    2016,  will  be  a  busy  year,  with  many  celebrations,  and  we   at   irishfreemasonry   will   continue   to   keep   you   informed,   as   the   year  progresses.  

Anniversaries  Falling  in  2016.  

Another  twelve  months  have  passed,  with  many  exciting  and  different  Masonic  events,   all   of   which   have   been   recorded   in   the   Articles,   Videos,   Blogs   and  Photo  Galleries  in  the  www.irishfreemasonry.com  dedicated  Masonic  web-­‐site.  Events  to  keep  an  eye  for,  include  the  commemoration  of  the  Bi-­‐Centenary  of  the   death   of  Wor   Bro   James   Orr,   which   will   take   place   in   April   2016   in   the  village  of  Ballycarry.  Other  endeavours  currently  under  scrutiny  will   include  a  further  large  scale  project  on  behalf  of  T.L.C.  and  ongoing  fund  raising  activities  by  groups  such  as  The  Widow’s  Sons.  So  watch  this  space  for  further  details  as  these  various  proposals  firm  up  into  actual  projects.  

 

 

 

 

Friendship  Lodge  No  447,  Newtownards.  

A   number   of   our   Lodges   will   be   celebrating   significant   anniversaries,   and   of  these,   one   Lodge   –   Friendship   Lodge   No   447   I.C.   will   be   celebrating   its   two  hundred  and  fiftieth  anniversary  on  the  6th  November  2016.    

This  is  a  remarkable  record  for  any  Lodge,  and  I  know  that  a  detailed  history  of  this   Lodge   is   currently   under   preparation,   in   the   hands   of  Wor   Bro   Stephen  Arnold,  one  of  the  recent  Past  Masters  of  The  Irish  Lodge  of  Research.  He  will  have   noted   that   the   Warrant   was   issued   to   Bros   Samuel   McMahon,   James  Wallace   and   Samuel   Frederick   to   hold   a   Lodge   in   Newton   Clonuboys   in   the  county  of  Down.  The  warrant  was  signed  by  the  Rt  Wor  and  Rt  Hon  The  Earl  of  Cavan  GM,  Rt  Wor  Bro  H.W.  Waring  DGM  and  John  Calder  Grand  Secretary.  

The   earliest   set   of   surviving   Byelaws   date   from   1769   and   include   the  following:-­‐    

The Regulations or By-Laws of Lodge 447, Newtown Ards, 1769:- These are 28 in number, are contained in a Manuscript Book, and appear to have been signed by each member joining the Lodge - the first signatures being as follows:- "Signed in ye Lodge Room aforesaid this sixth day of February In Masonry 5770. Gilbert Jackson, Master. Arthur Gordon and Hamilton Gillis, Wardens Saml. McMechan, Sec. 6th. "Order'd that all preferment's amongst sd Lodge be grounded on Real Worth & personal merit only, and not upon seniority." 7th. "Order'd that by the Majority of the Body one of the Members be chosen to preside as Master over the Body, for the space of one half year, beginning at St. John's Day in Christmas." 8th. "Order'd that the Master of sd Lodge has a Right of Authority of Congregating the Members of his Lodge upon any Emergency, as well as to appoint the time and place of their Usual meeting. In case of Absence, Sickness, or Death, the Senior Warden shall Act as Master, the Junior Warden as Senior, & the late Master - if present - as Junior Warden: if not present the oldest Member belonging to said Lodge." Under 9 and 10 the W.M. appoints the Treasurer and Secretary, part of the duty of the latter being to keep "A List of all the Regular Lodges in the Town, with the Usual Time & places of meeting, & also the Transaction's of their own Lodge, that are proper to be written." 11th. "Order'd that no Man be Accepted as Member of this Lodge, without previous notice one month before given in to the Lodge, in order to make due enquiry into the Reputation and Capacity of the Candidate &c."

12th. Every newly admitted member "to Cloth himself in Apron & Gloves." 19th. "That the Opinions of the Members are allways to be gignify'd by each holding up his right Hand, which the Senior Warden is to Count, unless the Number be so unequal as to render the Counting useless." The Bye-Laws in question seem to have been regularly signed by the members, as they joined the Lodge, up till the 19th of February, 1867. The  first  surviving  Minute  Book  dating  from  the  24th  June  1780  contains  many  interesting  entries,  which  give  a  clear   indication  of  the  work  carried  out   in  an  18th  Century  Irish  Lodge  under  its  Blue  or  Craft  Warrant.  We  include  a  few  brief  examples   to  whet   your   appetite,   as   you  wait   for   Bro  Arnold   to   complete   his  researches:-­‐   The Transaction Book of Lodge No. 447, beginning on the 24th of June, 1780, the first item recorded being the election of a Master, Wardens, Deacons, Secretary, and Tyler for the ensuing six months. The Extracts commence 17 November, 1786 and continue: March 7, 1789: "This Night Having been apointed for a Night Templar encampment the following Royal Arch Brethren Received the Sublime Degree of Sir Night Templars.... [This is the first reference to the Higher Degrees in the Minutes] 17th September, 1791: Three Brethren "Was Made Royal Arch Massons." 11 Feb. 1794: "The Master Mason's, Chair Master's, Ecclent and super-exelent Lodges being Opened, The Right Worshipful Master John Nevin White in the Chair, when our Revd. Brother George McEwen Received the Degree of Chair Master, Excelent, super-Excelent, and Royal Arch Masonry, and the night concluded with Harmony," 21 May, 1794: Three Brethren "were made Eccellent, Super-Eccellent and Royal Arch Brothers." 2 Sept. 1794: "Before opening the Lodge the Examination of Jas. Scott was taken, respecting a Forged Scotch Warrant taken up from sd Scott; & it appears by said Deposition that George Colvill & Thos. Scott engaged to procure said Warrant." 5 May 1795: "The Regulations of the County Committee read." 4 August, 1795: "John McBlain received his three steps in Masonry, thought to have been made formurly under an unregular Warrant." 1 May, 1798: A meeting of the Lodge was held on this date, and the next meeting of which there is any record is on the 4th of Feb. 1800. 19 Dec. 1803: "Emergency - Proceedings of a Committee appointed By the Body of Lodge No. 447 for the purpose of investigation offenes said To be committed By Br.

Saml. McMehon....." The Extracts continue mainly listing degrees given. 6 March, 1810: "The Lodge being Meet in Due Form the Worshipful Br. Robt. Campbell in the Chair, when the Question was put Whither The Lodge should Adhair to Dublin or Dungannon, but not a single Voice was for Dungannon 43 Members present. And the Nigght concluded in harmony. Signed by Order of the Master, Robt. McAlister, Secty." 3 January, 1815: Committee sat to consider question of arrears of dues. 2 June, 1815: Three Brethren "was recd. a member of that Holy and Divine Order of Royal Arch night templar Priests." March 20th, 1815: "The R.W. Robt. Hughes in the Chair, when some Buisness Relative to the Resolution's enter'd into in Oct. 1813 Was discuss'd when the following Lodges was present:-" [Nos. 133, 165, 173, 183, 447, 675, 699, 746, 822 & 985] 20 April, 1818: "A Committee was appointed to Let the under part of the house and the garden." 8 May, 1818. The Minutes of this meeting are sealed with the seal of "Newtownards Union Band Lodge 447." This is the only impression of the Union Band seal contained in the books of the Lodge. F.C. 3 Oct. 1820: "A Libberal subscription Was Entered into by the Brethren in aid of the building." 27 Dec. 1820: Repaired to "The Old Light Meeting House where they had a Sermon...." 5 Aug. 1823: "Agreeable to an Act of Parliament, which passed in July last, relative to the putting down of all associations of whatever denomination in Ireland, which is bound by tie or obligation, we therefore refrain and assembling or Meeting untill we receive further Instructions from Government or the Grand Lodge."  Farmers  Lodge  of  Friendship  No  978,  Ballylesson.  Interesting  the  next  Lodge  celebrating  an  anniversary  in  2016  is  another  Lodge  from  County  Down.  In  this  case  it  is  the  Farmer’s  Lodge  of  Friendship  No  978,  which  was  Constituted  on  the  4th  April  1816  and  now  meets  in    Ballylesson,  Co  Down.   The   Foundation   Officers   were   Sam   McKee,   John   Aird   and   Thos  McDowell.  The  Lodge  was  Constituted  in  Drumbo,  where  it  continued  to  meet  until   1841.   It  was  at   this   time   that   the   Lodge  moved   to  Ballylesson,  where   it  has  been  ever  since.  Initially  the  Lodge  was  based  in  an  upper  room  of  the  pub  owned  by  a  Bro  Savage.    However  these  arrangements  can  be  a  little  fraught,  as  the  attached  correspondence  demonstrates  :-­‐    

From  the  records  of  the  Provincial  Grand  Lodge  of  Down.  

22  Feb,  1881.  

“Proposed  by  W.T.  Henry,  seconded  by  Wm.  J.  xxxx,  (W.M.  254)  and  passed  ‘That  leave  be  given  to  the  brethren  of  Lodge  978  to  change  their  place  of  meeting  from  a  Public  to  a  Private  house.’”  

9  May,  1882.  

"....The  Sec.  reported  that  the  Prov.  B.  of  G.P.  had  met,  prior  to  the  meeting  of  the  P.G.L.,  and  had  amicably  arranged  the  dispute  between  Bro.  Savage  and  Lodge  978,  and  that  they  had  prepared  a  draft  of  the  findings  of  the  Board,  which  it  was  resolved  should  be  entered  on  the  minutes:-­‐  "That  the  Brethren  of  Lodge  978,  pay  to  Bro.  Savage  the  sum  of  One  pound  Stg.,  in  settlement  of  his  claim  for  rent,  and  that  he  retain  possession  of  the  Lodge  Chair,  which  is  a  fixture  in  the  room,  while  he  hands  over  to  the  W.M.  of  978,  within  one  week,  the  Box,  Books,  and  all  other  property  of  the  Lodge"....  

Vol.  11.p.  257.  

13  August,  1889.  

"....A  letter  was  read  from  Lodge  978,  Ballylesson,  announcing  that  the  night  of  meeting  had  been  changed  from  the  "Sat.  on  or  b.  fr.  m."  to  the  "Sec.  Tues.  in  each  month.".....  

However,  these  circumstances  seem  to  have  acted  as  a  spur  to  the  Lodge,  as  it  was  around  this  time  that  they  began  thinking  of  their  own  purpose  built  hall.  However   it   would   be   a   further   21   years   before   their   dreams   were   finally  realised  :-­‐    From  the  Minutes  of  the  Provincial  Grand  Lodge  of  Down:-­‐  

An  Occasional  Provincial  Grand  Lodge  was  held  at  Ballylesson  on  20th  July,  1910  for  the  purpose  of  Dedicating  their  new  Hall,  at  4  o’clock  p.m.  

The  Lodge  was  opened  in  due  form  on  the  First  Degree.  

The  Provincial  Grand  Lodge  was  officered  as  follows:-­‐  

R.W.  Bro.  Col.  R.G.  Sharman  Crawford,  DL.,       P.G.M  R.W.  Bro.  F.C.  Crossle,  MB.,                                                                 D.P.G.M.  

V.W.  Bro.  James  Barry,                                                                                   P.S.G.W.  

V.W.  Bro.  R.S.  Henry,                                                                                       P.J.G.W.  

V.W.  Bro.  W.  Bel  Burrowes,                                                                   P.G.  Treasurer  

V.W.  Bro.  J.D.  Williamson,                                                                       P.G.  Secretary  

The  Officers  of  the  Provincial  Grand  Lodge  of  Down  had  been  specially  summoned  to  Dedicate  the  new  Hall  erected  by  the  brethren  of  Lodge  No.  978.  

The  Ceremony  of  Dedication  of  the  new  Hall  was  performed  by  the  Provincial  Grand  Master  (R.W.  Bro.  Col.  R.G.  Sharman  Crawford)  assisted  by  his  Officers  according  to  ancient  Masonic  custom  and  Ritual.    

The  Grand  Master  after  the  ceremony  stated  that  it  afforded  him  great  pleasure  to  be  present  on  the  occasion,  the  Warrant  of  the  Lodge  had  been  continuously  in  the  same  district  since  the  year  1816  and  during  part  of  that  time  the  Lodge  meetings  had  been  held  in  the  now  historic  site  known  throughout  the  North  of  Ireland  as  “The  Goat.”  He  congratulated  the  brethren  on  the  splendid  success  of  their  efforts  in  erecting  a  hall  for  their  own  use  and  he  wished  them  every  prosperity  and  hoped  that  Masonry  in  the  district  would  long  flourish  and  that  Peace,  Love  and  Harmony  be  continually  found  amongst  them.  

Since  that  time  the  members  of  Farmer's  Lodge  of  Friendship  have  progressed  steadily  in  numbers  and  have  played  an  important  role  in  the  workings  of  the  Provincial  Grand  Lodge  of  Down,  right  up  to  the  present  time.  

 

 

Castlederg   Lodge   No   799  I.C.  Our   third   Lodge  celebrating   this   year   is  Castlederg   Lodge   No799  which   will   be   celebrating  175  years’   service   to   Irish  Freemasonry.   Below,   we  have   included  a   few  brief  extracts     from  “History  of  Castlederg  Masonic  Lodge  No   799   by   V.   Wor   Bro  T.H.Trimble.     [This is a very comprehensive account of Freemasonry in Castlederg and full details of each Worshipful Master of the Lodge since its inception are included. Only details of the Lodge Minutes have been included here. K.C.]  

We have discovered ample evidence of the working of Freemasonry in the Castlederg area since 1793. A Report in The Northern Star newspaper, published on the 16th January, 1793, states “A Meeting of the General Committee of the Free and Accepted Masons of the County of Tyrone was held in the Committee Rooms in Dungannon on the 6th January, 1793, to determine what conduct should be pursued as Masons and Citizens at this momentous crisis.” One of the five Lodges names is No. 664, Killeter. The Worshipful Master is given as William Caldwell and the Lodge was said to have twenty-six members. An entry from the Grand Lodge Minutes of 2nd October, 1794 states how Grand Lodge, “Ordered a Warrant to Robert Kile, [I.M.R. shows Bill as Grantee] William Robb and Jon. Mathews to hold a Lodge in Lislaird, Co. Tyrone. A document published by the County Tyrone General Masonic Committee displayed in the present Castlederg Lodge Room refers to Thomas Porter being Worshipful Master of Lodge No. 799 in the year 1799. Correspondence between this Lodge and Grand Lodge reveals how the Lodge had recurring difficulties in meeting its debts to Grand Lodge. It would appear that the Lodge administration was poor, as in year 1827 there was difficulty in determining just who were registered as members with Grand Lodge. A letter, held in the Grand Lodge archives, dated the 24th June, 1829 refers to thirteen brethren having met under the warrant of Lodge No. 799 on St. John’s Day and of how the Lodge meetings were held in the kitchen of Charles Irvine, Castlederg, this Warrant was subsequently cancelled in the year 1835. A further entry from the minutes of the Grand Lodge of Ireland dated 4th February, 1841 states “Read a memorial of T.H. Walsh, Hugh Harper and Henry Gay to be reformed into a Lodge of Freemasons at Lislaird near Castlederg.” In June, 1841 Christopher Craig, who we mention later, was initiated into the Lodge. By the year 1855 the former financial and administration problems had returned. In 1856 the W.M. wrote to Grand Lodge stating “The Lodge hoped to liquidate its debt to Grand Lodge by next St. John’s Day, if not previously.” On the 27th December, 1861, with the Lodge owing £5. 13. 6., in Dues to Grand Lodge, Bro. Christopher Craig wrote asking for the advice of Grand Lodge in their present financial difficulties and enquiring if the warrant could be sold. He also spoke of poor attendances, infrequent meetings and how the Lodge met in his house. The Lodge’s warrant was subsequently suspended on the 2nd July, 1863. In year 1872 the former Secretary wrote to Grand Lodge enquiring about the further restoration of the warrant, however this did not happen until the year 1886. The first minute book of Lodge 799 as it is Constituted to-day states, “that the first meeting of the Brethren interested in opening a Masonic Lodge in Castlederg was convened by Bro. H.H. Wood of Lodge No. 547, by letter, dated 22nd March, 1886.” The meeting was held in the Ferguson Arms Hotel on Wednesday 24th March, 1886.    Here   again,   there   is   a   fascinating   story   to   tell,   and  we  await  with   interest   to  learn   more   about   the   history   of   this   old   Lodge   in   the   months   ahead.   Two  

Lodges  will  celebrate  their  150th  Anniversaries  this  year  and  they  are  Lodge  No  185  Dungannon  and  Lodge  No  211  Magherafelt.    St  John's  Lodge  No  185,  Dungannon    1  January,  1866  –  Read  Memorial  for  a  Warrant  to  hold  a  new  Lodge  at  Dungannon,  Co.  Tyrone.    Recommended  by  the  Masters  of  three  Lodges  and  by  Lodge  No.  9  Dungannon.    £7  enclosed  for  the  Warrant.  The  Board  recommend  that  the  prayer  of  the  Memorialists  be  granted  and  that  a  Warrant  to  be  numbered  185  be  issued  to  them.  

(C)  Reissued  to  `St.  John's  Lodge'  in  DUNGANNON,  Co.  Tyrone,  16  January  1866.  

Warrant  issued  16  Jan.  1866  to  John  Crocket;  John  Simpson  and  John  Stewart.  

St  John's  Lodge  still  works  in  the  Dungannon  Masonic  Hall  right  up  to  the  present.  

 

 

Magherafelt  Lodge  211    I.C  

On  the  11  Oct.  1865  Grand  Lodge  received  a  petition  for  a  Warrant  in  the  form  of  a  letter  signed   by   Robert   Campbell,   Wholesale   Clothier,   Rainey   Street,   Magherafelt.     Letter  encloses   £7   being   the   cost   of   a   new   Warrant.   Copy   of   the   proposed   Bye-­‐Laws   also  enclosed.  This  was  followed  on  the  7th  Nov.  1865  by  a  Memorial   from  William  Mitchell;  William   Bradley;   Robert   Campbell;   John   Kelly   and   Samuel   Porter   all   from   No.   532.    Memorial  recommended  by  Lodges  532,  186  and  470  

From  the  Minutes  of  the  G.L.  Board  of  G.P.  

29   January,   1866   -­‐   Read   a   Memorial   from   Br.   Robert   Campbell   and   others   for   a   new  Warrant   to   hold   a   Lodge   in  Magherafelt,   Co.   Derry.     Recommended   by   Br.   Dr.   Browne,  P.D.G.M.  and  £7  enclosed.The  Board  recommend  that   the  prayer  of   the  Memorialists  be  granted  and  that  a  Warrant,  to  be  numbered  211  issued  to  them.  

 (C)  Reissued  to  brethren  in  MAGHERAFELT,  Co.  Londonderry,  12  April  1866.  

Warrant  issued  12  April,  1866  to  Robert  Campbell;  John  Kelly  and  Samuel  Porter.  

Foundation  Members  were    Samuel  Porter;    John  Kelly;    Archibald  McFall  and  William  John  Morrow.  The  first  candidate  was  Bro.  T.S.  Taylor  who  was  initiated  3  September,  1866  and  the  first  Affiliated  member  was  Bro.  Thomas  Wm.  Allen  in  1876.  

At   about   1885   there  was   some   little   difficulty   as   to   the   re-­‐arrangement   of   the  Masonic  boundaries  of  Antrim  and  Down,  owing  to   the  extension  of  Belfast  on   the  County  Down  side  of  the  river,  and  the  natural  desire  for  Lodges  to  meet  in  Ballymacarrett.  This  matter  was  under  discussion   for   a   considerable   time.  Ultimately,   however,   the   idea  of   a  Grand  Lodge  for  Belfast  was  definitely  abandoned  and  the  boundaries  as  settled  by  Grand  Lodge  in  1868,  were  adopted  as  final.  In  the  case  of  Lodge  211  Magherafelt  on  being  referred  to  the   Board   of   General   Purposes  was     settled   by   transferring   it   into   the   Provincial   Grand  Lodge   of   Antrim.   It   was   not   until   the   4th   of   April   1887   before   the   Board   of   General  Purposes   reconsidered   this   matter,   after   Lodge   No.   211,  Magherafelt  Memorialised   for  permission  to  be  transferred  from  the  Province  of  Antrim  to  that  of  Derry,  and  the  Prov.  Gd.  Masters  of  both  Provinces  having  expressed  their  approval  the  Board  sanctioned  the  change.  

The  constitutional  meeting  of   the  Lodge  was  held   in   the  Magistrates  room   in  the   old   Courthouse   or   Bride   well   in   the   town.     The   Lodge   attempted   to  purchase  the  building   in  1887  but  the  bid  was  unsuccessful  and  the  meetings  were  then  held  in  an  hotel  owned  by  W.  Bro.  Porter,  a  foundation  member,  at  a   cost   of   8s.   6d.   [£0.43]   for   17   weeks.     Lodge   then   moved   to   a   building   in  Church  Street  owned  by  W.  Bro.  T.S.  Taylor  who  was  the  first  person  to  receive  

all  his  Degrees  under  the  warrant  of  Two  Eleven.  By  the  turn  of  the  century  the  Lodge  had  purchased  a  plot  of  land  and  built  a  hall  in  which  Freemasonry  has  flourished  and  grown  over  the  years.  One  further  item  of  interest  in  the  history  of  Lodge  211,  has  to  do  with  its  experiences  at  the  start  of  the  Second  World  War,  

15  Oct.  1940  –  Letter  from  the  Lodge  Secretary  “….  The  Military  are  in  possession  of  part  of  our  Hall  and  we  have  been  told  that  they  may  take  over  all  the  premises  at  a  later  date.    In  that  event  would  you  kindly  give  us  advice  and  direction  as  to  what  we  should  do,  would  we   try   and   obtain   temporary   alternative   accommodation   or   suspend   meetings   of   the  Lodge.”   –   G.L.   reply   –   17   Oct.   write   to   P.G.M.  who   has   the   power   to   consider   suitable  premises.    Three   further   Lodges   58,   61   &   63   will   all   celebrate   their   one   hundred   and  twenty  fifth  anniversary  this  year.    Castle  Mervyn  Lodge  No  58,  Trillick.  

2   March,   1891   -­‐   Read   an   application   from   Bros.   Fleming,   Bennett,   Alexander   and   five  others  for  a  Warrant  to  hold  a  Lodge  in  Trillick,  Co.  Tyrone.    Recommended  by  Lodge  819  and  be  the  D.P.G.M.  of  T  yrone.    Regular  fee  enclosed.    The  Board  recommend  the  prayer  of  the  Memorialists  be  granted  and  a  Warrant  to  be  issued  numbered  58.  G.L.M.  5  March,  1891  –  Approved.  

 (C)  Reissued  to  `Castle  Mervyn  Lodge'  in  TRILLICK,  Co.  Tyrone,  5  March  1891.  

Warrant  issued  5  March,  1891  to  William  E.  Fleming  (332)  Master;  Robert  Bennett  (185)Senior  Warden  and  Jno.  H.  Alexander  (819  Junior  Warden.)    

Leslie  J.  Thompson  Lodge  61    I.C.  Ballymacarrett.  

5  March,  1891  –  Read  a  Memorial  from  Bros.  Carson,  Dennison,  Dogherty  and  ten   others   praying   for   a  Warrant   to   establish   a   Lodge   in   Ballymacarrett,   Co.  Down,   top  be   called   the   “Thompson”   Lodge.     Recommended  by   Lodges   240,  685,  114  and  by  the  P.D.G.M.  of  Down.    Regular  Fee  enclosed.  Moved  by  Bro.  Major   McCammon,   Seconded   by   W.J.   Creed   Meredith   and   resolved   that   a  Warrant  be  granted  to  the  applicants  to  be  numbered  61.  

 (B)  Reissued  to  Robert  W.  Carson  (314),  William  Dennison  (239)  and  James  Docherty  (811)  to  hold  `Leslie  J.  Thompson  Lodge'  in  Ballymacarrett,  BELFAST,  5  March  1891.  

Warrant    dated  11th  March,  1891  to  Robert  W.  Carson,  W.M.;  William  Dennison,  S.W.  and  James   Docherty,   J.   Warden.     Lodge   title   “Leslie   Thompson   and   met   in   Ballymacarrett  Masonic  Hall,  Belfast    

From  the  Minutes  of  the  Provincial  Grand  Lodge  of  Down:-­‐  

The  ceremony  of  Constitution  of  the  Lodge  took  place  on  Good  Friday,  27th  March,  1891,  in  the  Masonic  Hall,  Newtownards  Road,  Ballymacarrett,  Belfast,  the  Deputy  Provincial  Grand  Master,  Bro.  Major  Leslie  J.  Thompson,  presiding.  

The  first  Officers  of  the  Lodge  were:-­‐  

Bro.  R.W.  Carson,                                               Master  

Bro.  W.  Dennison                                                   Senior  Warden  

Bro.  J.  Docherty                                                       Junior  Warden  Bro.  J.  Martin                                                               Treasurer  

Bro.  S.  Rowley                                                           Secretary  

Bro.  G.  Crawford                                                     Senior  Deacon  

Bro.  Mercer                                                                     Junior  Deacon  

Bro.  W.  Logan                                                             Inner  Guard  

 

In  1892  the  members  agreed  to  fall  in  with  seven  other  Lodges  and  become  part-­‐owners  of  the  new  Hall   in  use  at  that  time  in  Ballymacarrett.  Two  years   later   in  1894  a  deputation  was  received  from  Lodges  699,  114  and  37  to  explain  views  on  the  building  of  a  new  hall  and  the  Lodge  agreed  to  co-­‐operate.  The  Lodge  was  very  progressive  at  this  time  in  that,  again   in  1894,   they  agreed  "to  have  our   lady  friends"  at  the   Installation  supper.By  1898  the  old  Hall  was  found  to  be  unsuitable  and  the  members  subscribed  £1  each  towards  the  erection  of   a  new  Hall   the   Foundation   Stone  of  which  was   laid  on  29th   September   that  year.  In  1903  plans  for  a  new  hall  were  passed  and  the  Lodge  guaranteed  a  sum  of  money  towards   the   cost.   The   Lodges   moved   to   temporary   premises   in   Dee   Street   while   the  rebuilding  work  was  carried  out.  In  1937  the  House  Committee  asked  for  representatives  from  the  Lodge  to  discuss  and  vote  on  a  proposal  to  purchase  a  site  for  a  new  hall.  In  1941  the  hall  was  damaged  by  bombs  and  Grand  Lodge  allocated  a  sum  of  money  to  assist   in  relieving  distress  arising  from  the  blitz.  

The   Lodge   was   names   in   the   minutes   of   the   meetings,   in   the   early   days,   as   Leslie  Thompson   Masonic   Lodge   and   this   was   the   name   that   appeared   on   the   original   Seal.  However,   the  Secretary   in  1892  recorded  the  name   in  the  minutes  as  Leslie   J.  Thompson  

for  a  period  of  time  and  eventually  it  became  the  regular  description  and,  as  such,  it  has  continued  ever  since.  

Harmony  Lodge  No  63  I.C.  Londonderry.  

On   the   6   April,   1891   the   Grand   Lodge   Board     of   General   Purposes   read   an  application   from   Bros.   Canon   Babington,   Robt.   McCullagh,   Henry   Thompson  and  ten  others  for  a  Warrant  to  hold  a  Lodge  in  the  town  of  Londonderry.    This  application  was  Recommended  by   Lodges  640,  164,  69  and  be   the  P.G.M.  of  Derry  and  Donegal.    Regular  fee  enclosed.    The  Board  recommend  the  prayer  of   the   Memorialists   be   granted   and   a   Warrant   to   be   issued   numbered  63.G.L.M.  5  March,  1891  –  Approved.  

(A)  Reissued  to  `Harmony  Lodge'  in  Magazine  Street,  LONDONDERRY,  Co.    Londonderry,  8  June  1891.  

Warrant  issued  8  June,  1891  to  Richd.  Babington  (Canon);  Robt.  McCullagh  and  Henry  Thompson.  

W.M.  –  W.  Bro.  Rev.  Richard  Babington;  S.W.  –  Bro.  Robert  McCullough;  J.W.  –  Bro.  Henry  Thompson;  Treas.  –  Bro.  Robert  J.  Roden;  Sec.  -­‐  Bro.  John  Lockington;  S.D.  –  Bro.  John  Hamilton;  J.D.  –  Bro.  Berkley  Vincent  and  I.G.  –  Bro.  George  M.  McLean.    The  Jewels  for  the  Lodge  were  purchased  in  London  in  April,  1895    On  27th  November,  1896,  by  command  of  the  R.W.  the  P.G.M.  of  Derry  and  Donegal   (Sir  William   Miller),   Lodge   No.   63   travelled   to   Buncrana   and   held   an   Emergency  Communication   for   the   purpose   of   Dedicating   “Sunbeam   Lodge   No.   191,   Buncrana.”  Officers  present  –  W.M.,  W.  Bro.  Frederick  J.  Simmons;  S.W.  Bro.  James  A.  Roden  (Acting);  J.W.  Bro.  Berkley  Vincent;  Sec.  Bro.  James  Whiteside  (acting);  S.D.  Bro.  R.J.  Aiken  (acting);  J.D.  Bro.  S.  Bryson  (acting);  and  I.G.  Bro.  George  W.  Atcheson.      The  Officers  Installed  in  “Sunbeam  Lodge  No.  191”  were:-­‐  W.M.  –  R.W.  Bro.  Maurice  C.  Hime;  S.W.  –  Bro.  Duncan  McGregor;  J.W.  –  Bro.  William  Bradley;  Sec.  Bro.  W.J.  Armstrong;  S.D.  –  Bro.  Alfred  G.  Shaylor;  J.D.  –  Bro.  Stephen  Burgess  and  I.G.  –  Bro.  James  Bond.    I'm  sure  this  last  names  comes  as  quite  a  surprise  to  many  of  you,  as  you  may  not  have  been  aware  that  007  was  indeed  an  Irish  Mason.    Orpheus  Lodge  No  426    I.C.    On  the  23  Sept.  1916  ,  the  Grand  Lodge  Board  of  General  Purposes  received  a    Printed  form  of  Memorial   for  a  new  Warrant  to  hold  a  Lodge   in  Freemasons’  

Hall,   Dublin   to   be   called   the   “BLANK”   Lodge   –   Memorial   signed   by   twelve  Brethren   from   various   Lodges   –   Nominates   James   S.   Ashe   (P.M.   2)   as   first  W.M.;  Albert  Owen  Wells  (222)  as  S.W.  and  John  R.  Morgan  (22  &  500)  as  J.W.  –  Recommended  by  Lodges  666,  269  and  302.  As  the  Foundation  Members  all  had   an   interest   in   Music   and   Poetry   the   opted   for   the   name   Orpheus   the  legendary   Thracian  musician,   poet   and   prophet   said   to   be   able   to   charm   all  living  animals  and  plants.        

     

     From  the  Minutes  of  the  G.L.  Board  of  G.P  :-­‐  

4   December,   1916   -­‐   Read   Memorial   from   Bros.   Ashe,   Wells,   Morgan   and   nine   others  praying  for  a  warrant  to  establish  a  Lodge  in  Dublin   in  the  County  of  Dublin  to  be  called  the   Orpheus.     Recommended   by   Lodges   666,   269   and   302.   –   Recommended   by   Grand  Lodge  at  its  meeting  on  the  .  7  December,  1916.  

 –   Confirmed.  Warrant  No   426  was   re-­‐issued   to   `Orpheus   Lodge'   in   FREEMASONS  HALL,  MOLESWORTH  STREET,  DUBLIN,  12  December  1916.  James  S.  Ashe,  MD.,  (2);  Albert  Owen  Wells,  Pharmacy  Chemist  (222)  and  John  R.  Morgan,  Vicar  Coral  (25)  registered  along  with  nine  others  from  various  lodges,  12  December,  1916.  

 

Emerald  in  the  East  Lodge  No  830  I.C.  Kuala  Lumper,  Malaysia.  

On   the   16   February,   1966   the   Grand   Lodge   Board   of   General   Purposes  considered   the   Memorial   from   sundry   Brethren   which   was   handed   to   the  Grand   Treasurer   and   Grand   Secretary   at   Singapore   in   February,   1965,  requesting  Grand  Lodge  to  issue  a  new  Warrant  to  establish  a  Lodge  at  Kuala  Lumpur,   Malaysia.     The   Deputy   Grand   Master   outlined   the   correspondence  which   had   taken   place   about   the   application   in   accordance  with   the   agreed  practice   since   1959,   with   the   Grand   Lodge’s   considering   application   for   a  Warrant   in  Masonic  territory  open  to  the  three  Grand  Lodges  and  where  one  of   those   Grand   Lodges   had   not   previously   had   a   Lodge.     The   Board  recommended  Grand  Lodge  to  issue  a  Warrant  to  the  Memorialists  to  establish  a   Lodge   at   Kuala   Lumpur,   to   be   numbered   830.   This   recommendation   was  ratified  by  Grand  Lodge  at  its  meeting  on  the  3rd  March  1966.  

Warrant   No   830(   A   )   was   re-­‐issued   to   brethren   to   form   `Emerald   in   the   East   Lodge'   in  KUALA  LUMPUR,  Malaysia,  3  March  1966.  to  Bros  Charles  B.  Wilson,  MD.,  (764);  Kingsley  H.  Dorloff,  MD.,  (3369  EC)  and  Arthur  G.  Livingstone,  Clerk  (500)  registered  along  with  82  others   from  various   lodges  and  Constitutions,   3  March,   1966.  On   the   17  May,   1967  –  A  design   for   a   Founder’s   Jewel   of   Emerald   in   the   East   Lodge   No.   830   Kuala   Lumpur   was  approved.  

In  1966  Lodge  Emerald  in  the  East  No.  830  was  erected  in  Kuala  Lumpur,  again  extending  the  Inspectorate  Area.  Bro.  A.W.S.  Smith  chose  to  remain  as  Assistant  Grand  Inspector  and  R.W.   Bro.   P.J.   Hope   became   the  Grand   Inspector,   concurrently   holding   the   office   as   the  

Provincial  Prior  of  the  Far  East.  Bro.  Smith  was  in  poor  health  as  a  result  of  having  been  caught  in  a  landslide  during  Typhoon  Wanda  and  exposed  on  the  hill  side  until  rescued  the  following  day.  

Irish   Freemasonry   in   the  area  was   fortunate   in   finding   two  expert   Craftsmen  who  were  destined   to   contribute   enormously   to   Lodge   Emerald,   the   first   being  W.   Bro.   Charles   C.  Bowman  who   travelled   frequently  between  Kuala  Lumpur  and  Singapore  and  had  many  friends  in  Klang  Lodge  to  which  he  was  affiliated.  The  second  was  Bro.  Arthur  Livingstone  who  turned  out  to  be  a  veritable  masonic  "jewel".  

With   the   gathering  momentum,  W.   Bro.   C.C.   Bowman   and   Bro.   Arthur   Livingstone   held  consultations  with  V.W.  Bro.  C.B.  Wilson,  Assistant  Grand  Inspector  and  V.W.  Bro.  D.A.J.  Bruford,   Lodge   St.   Patrick's  Director   of   Ceremonies.   A   Petition   under   the   sponsorship   of  Lodge   St.   Patrick  was   sent   to   the  Grand   Lodge   of   Ireland   for   a  Warrant   of   Constitution  which,   the   strong   objections   of   the   English   and   Scottish   Districts   notwithstanding,   was  granted  in  1966.  

With   the  Warrant   in   hand   and  with   support   especially   from   Klang   Lodge,   a   pioneering  group  of  Brethren  formed  an  organising  Committee  to  discuss  the  realities  and  mechanics  of  actually  getting  the  Lodge  started.  The  first  meeting  of  the  Committee  was  finally  held  on  9  October,  1966,  at  Read  Masonic  Temple  in  Jalan  Damansara,  Kuala  Lumpur.  Although  not   present   at   that   Meeting,   V.W.   Bro.   C.B.   Wilson   was   unanimously   elected   Founder  Master  with:-­‐W.   Bro.   Kingsley   Oorloff,   S.W.;   Bro.   Arthur   Livingstone,   J.W.;  W.   Bro.   C.C.  Bowman,  Secretary  and  V.W.  Bro.  D.A.J.  Bruford,  Director  of  Ceremonies.  

Unlike  the  immediate  availability  of  the  Masonic  Hall  in  Singapore  for  Lodge  St.  Patrick,  thanks  to  the  Masonic  Hall  Board,  the  request  to  the  Read  Temple  Committee  did  not  meet  with  such  enthusiasm.  The  following  resolution  was  passed  by  the  Temple  Committee  at  a  meeting  in  October,  1966:  

"That  the  Read  Temple  Committee  regrets  that  it  cannot  consent  to  the  use  of  the  Temple  by   the   proposed   Irish   Lodge   until   such   time   as   the   proposed   Irish   Lodge   receives  recognition  by  the  District  Grand  Lodge  of  the  Eastern  Archipelago  and  the  District  Grand  Lodge   of   the  Middle   East   and   that   the   Secretary   be   instructed   to   inform   the   proposed  Lodge  and  the  two  Districts  accordingly."  

This  however  did  not  dampen  the  spirits  of   the  Brethren  concerned.  Further  meetings  of  the   Committee   were   held   elsewhere   and,   by   the   end   of   the   year,   arrangements   were  already  in  hand  for  the  use  of  a  school  hall,  which  were  considered  adequate,  even  though  it  would  have  required  the  use  of  two  Tylers!  But,  unexpectedly,  a  letter  was  received  from  Read  Temple  Committee  to  the  effect  that,  subject  to  confirmation  by  the  Deputy  District  Grand   Master   in   Charge,   Lodge   Emerald   in   the   East   may   be   allowed   the   use   of   Read  Temple  on  the  same  terms  and  conditions  as  the  other  Lodges  of  the  English  and  Scottish  

Districts.  Within  a  week,   the  appropriate   consent  was   received   from   the  Deputy  District  Grand  Master  in  Charge.  

With   the   objections   of   the   English   and   Scottish   Districts   now  withdrawn,   arrangements  were  made  for  the  Constitution  on  the  earliest  available  Saturday,  which  turned  out  to  be  1  April,  1967.  Frantic  preparations  were  made  and,  as   is   inevitable  under  such  pressure,  something   had   to   be   forgotten,   and   it   turned   out   to   be   the   photographer,   hence   no  pictorial  record  of  the  Constitution  Officers.  

Although  V.W.  Bro.  C.B.  Wilson  was  already  an  Installed  Master  of  the  Irish  Constitution,  the  ceremony  of  Installation  was  performed  in  full  so  that  Brethren  in  Kuala  Lumpur  could,  for  the  first  time  in  many  cases,  witness  an  Irish  Installation  Ceremony,  and  so  appreciate  the  simple  Irish  approach  to  Freemasonry.  

With   the   formation   of   Lodge   Emerald   in   the   East,   the   Inspectorate  Area   of  Hong   Kong,  China  and  Malaya  was  now  split  into  two,  the  Hong  Kong  Lodges  forming  the  Inspectorate  Area  of   the  Far  East  and  Lodge  St.  Patrick  combining  with  Lodge  Emerald   in   the  East   to  form   the   Inspectorate  Area  of   Singapore  and  Malaysia   (later   renames   South   East  Asia).  R.W.   Bro.   C.B.  Wilson  was   appointed   Grand   Inspector   and   V.W.   Bro.   D.A.J.   Bruford   his  Assistant.  

And,  as   you  note   from   the   foregoing  Brethren,   sometimes  much  can  happen  within  a  Lodge   in  a  short  period  of  time,  which  will  continue  to   influence  the  working  of  the  Lodge  in  its  subsequent  history.  

 

Old  Portora  Lodge  No  859  I.C.  Enniskillen.  

1.   2   June,   1966   -­‐   Printed   form   of   Memorial   for   a   new   warrant   to   meet   at  Freemasons’  Hall,  Dublin  and  to  have  the  title  “Old  Portora  Lodge”  –  Memorial  signed  by   forty-­‐seven  brethren   from  various   Lodges  and   recommend   John  A.  Wallace,   Deputy   Grand  Master   (P.M.   357)   as   first  W.M.;   Hector   C.C.   Deane,  P.G.M.  Armagh   (625)   as   S.W.   and  Derrick  W.  Pratt,   Past   Senior  G.D.   (357)   as  J.W.  and  the  Memorial  was  recommended  by  Lodges  357,  205  and  533  and  the  D.G.  Master,  the  P.G.M.  of  Antrim  and  the  P.G.M.  of  Tyrone  &  Fermanagh.  

The  Lodge  was  Constituted  by  the  Grand  Master,  M.W.  The  Rt.  Hon.  The  Earl  of  Donoughmore   in   Freemasons’   Hall,   Molesworth   Street,   Dublin   at   5.30   p.m.,  Friday,  18th  November,  1966.    The  following  Officers  were  then  Installed:-­‐    Worshipful  Master  John  A.  Wallace  (Deputy  Grand  Master)  Senior  Warden     Hector  C.C.  Deane  (Provincial  Grand  Master,  Armagh)  Junior  Warden     Derrick  W.  Pratt  (Past  Senior  Grand  Deacon)  Chaplain                          Right  Rev.  Alan  A.  Buchanan  (Past  Master  Lodge  711)  Sec  /Treas                                              George  C.  Andrews  (P.P.G.S.W.    T.  &  F.)  Director  of  Ceremonies   Ian  C.  Eadie  (Past  Master  Lodge  586)  Senior  Deacon     R.H.  Roe  Fry  (Provincial  Grand  Master,  North  Connaught)  Junior  Deacon     John  B.  Jermyn  (P.P.J.G.W.,  Munster)  Inner  Guard                          Thomas  R.L.  Cox  (P.D.G.W.,  East  Africa.  E.C.)  Asst.  Secretary,  Dublin   V.  Wor.  Bro.  Derrick  W.  Pratt  Asst.  Secretary,  Belfast   Bro.  J.W.  Hughes.    

On  the  18  May,  1966  -­‐  The  Board  recommended  the  issue  of  a  New  Warrant  to  establish  a  Lodge  at  Dublin  to  be  called  “The  Old  Portora”  No.  859.    The  Memorial  was  recommended  by  Lodges  Nos.  357,  Dublin,  No.  205,  Enniskillen  and  No.  533,  Belfast  and  by  P.D.G.M.  of  Antrim  and  Down.    The  Board  unanimously   recommended   the   issue  of   the  Warrant  and  that  permission  be  granted   for   the  Lodge   to  meet  also  at  Enniskillen  and  Belfast.  Grand  Lodge  confirmed  this  recommendation  at  its  meeting  on  the  2  nd  June  1966.  

 (A)  Reissued  to  `Old  Portora  Lodge'  in  DUBLIN,  2  June  1966.  

John  A.  Wallace,  Physician,  (357);  Hector  C.C.  Deane,  Surgeon  (625)  and  Derrick  W.  Pratt,  Chartered  Accountant  (357)  registered  along  with  forty-­‐three  others  from  various  lodges  and  Constitutions,  2  June,  1966.  (One  brother  marked  “Did  not  Join”)  In  the  annual  report  for  1966,  we  find  the  following  report.  

 

On  November  18th  a  new  Lodge  called  the  "Old  Portora  Lodge"  No.  859,  was  dedicated   and   constituted   in   Dublin.     This   is   the   first   Constitution   of   a   new  Lodge  in  Dublin  for  over  20  years,  and  it  was  a  great  pleasure  to  me  to  act  as  Presiding  Officer  at  such  a  Ceremony,  which  I  was  doing  for  the  first  time  in  my  life.   R.W.   Brother   John  Wallace  was   installed   as   the   first  Worshipful  Master,  with   R.W.   Brother   Hector   Deane   and   V.W.   Brother   Derrick   Pratt   as   his  Wardens.     It   is   quite   clear   that   Portora   has   already   produced   many  distinguished   members   of   the   Craft   and   it   is   delightful   that   they   have   now  formed  a  Lodge  of  their  own.  

Removed  to  Enniskillen,  Co.  Fermanagh,  ..  ...  ....  ,  with  authority  to  meet  anywhere  within  Ireland.  

Wilson  Memorial  Lodge  No  910  I.C.  Limavady.  

 An   inaugural  meeting  was   held   on  Monday   5th  November   1990   to   consider  the   formation   of   a   new   Lodge.     The   meeting   was   chaired   by   Rt.   Wor.   Bro.  Harold  Gough,  MBE.,  BA.  Those  present  unanimously  agreed  to  petition  Grand  Lodge   for   permission   to   form   a   new   Lodge   and   to   grant   a  Warrant.     It   was  agreed   that   the   Lodge   he   called   the   ‘Wilson   Memorial   Masonic   Lodge’   in  memory  of  the  late  Wor.  Bro.  William  Wilson,  who  had  been  a  highly  esteemed  figure   in   Freemasonry   in   Limavady   and   also   in   other   areas   of   the   Order  throughout  Ireland.    And  so  a  new  Lodge  was  born.  

The  names  of  the  foundation  members  are  herewith  appended  for  the  use  of  posterity.    A  further  meeting  of  founder  members  of  the  proposed  new  Lodge  was   held   in   the   Freemasons’   Hall,   Limavady   on   Thursday   18th   April   1991.    Arrangements   were   made   for   the   Constitution   date   and   it   was   agreed   to  accept  a    maul   for  the  use  of  the  new  Lodge,   from  the  Wilson  family.     It  was  also  agreed  to  purchase  collars  and  jewels  to  present  to  the  new  Lodge.  

An   occasional   Communication   of   the   Rt.   Wor.   Provincial   Grand   Lodge   of  Londonderry   and   Donegal   was   held   in   Christ   Church   Hall,   Main   Street,  Limavady  on  Thursday  11th.    June  1991,  for  the  purpose  of  constituting  ‘Wilson  Memorial’  Lodge  No.  910,  the  Provincial  Grand  Master,  Rt.  Wor.  Bro.  William  Long,  BA.   in   the  chair.    Rt.  Wor.  Bro.    Harold  Gough  was   installed  as   the   first  

Worshipful  Master  of  ‘Wilson  Memorial’  Lodge  No.  910.    Rt.  Wor.  Bro.  Harold  Gough  was  the  natural  choice  as  the  first  Worshipful  Master  of  this  Lodge  as  he  has  given  a  lifetime  of  service  to  the  Masonic  Order.    The  names  of  the  other  officers  are  also  attached.  

 

Thiepval  Memorial  Lodge  No  1020    I.C.  Broughshane.  

9  May,   1991   -­‐   Read  Memorial   to   establish   a   Lodge   at   Broughshane,   Co.   Antrim,   to   be  called  Thiepval  Memorial  No.  1020.    The  Memorial  was  recommended  by  Lodges  Nos.  194,  246   and   493   and   by   the   P.G.M.   and   P.D.G.M.   of   Antrim.     The   Board   recommended   the  issue  of  a  new  Warrant,  which  was  confirmed  by  Grand  Lodge  at  their  meeting  on  the  6th  June  1991.  

Warrant   No   1020     (   A   )   was   re-­‐issued   to   `The   Thiepval   Memorial   Lodge   No.   1020'   in  Freemasons  Hall,  ROSEMARY  STREET,  BELFAST,  9  November  1991.  The  Warrant  was  to  be  domiciled   in   the   Broughshane   Masonic   Hall   in   Broughshane,   Co   Antrim.   The   Lodge  Constituted  9  November,  1991and  the  first  Officers,  registered  for  1991  are  as  follows:-­‐  

David   Mullen,   Worshipful   Master;   Robert   C.   Craig,   Senior   Warden   and   Thomas   A.  Robinson,   Junior   Warden.     The   first   secretary   was   James   H.   Robinson,   and   the   first  Almoner  was  Robert  T.  Bashford.  These    same  Officers  served  for  1992  

From  the  Minutes  of  the  G.L.  Board  of  G.P  :  -­‐    On  the  14  May,  1992  –  The  Board  considered  and   approved   a   design   for   a   Founder’s   Jewel   and   Past  Master’s   Jewel   as   submitted   by  Thiepval  Lodge  No.  1020,  Broughshane.  

Constituted  in  the  Provincial  Masonic  Hall,  Rosemary  Street,  Belfast  on  Saturday,  9th  November,  1991  by  The  Most  Worshipful  The  Grand  Master,  the  Most  Honourable,  The  Marquis  of  Donegall,  LVO.,  assisted  by  the  Officers  of  the  Provincial  Grand  Lodge  of  Antrim.  

The   Lodge   had   seventeen   Foundation   Members   and   W.   Bro.   David   Mullan,  DSC.  was  the  first  Master.  Bros.  Robert  C.  Craig  and  Thomas  A.  Robinson  were  the   Wardens,   W.   Bro.   Albert   H.   Hall   the   Treasurer   and   W.   Bro.   James   H.  Robinson  the  Secretary.  

This  Lodge  was  Constituted  primarily  to  honour  the  soldiers  of  the  Royal  Irish  Regiments  who  fell  in  the  Great  War,  World  War  11  and  subsequent  military  actions.    

 

Coleraine  A.I.  Old  Boy's  Lodge  No  913  I.C.  Coleraine.  

On   the   4   Sept.   19901,   The  Grand   lodge  Board   of  General   Purposes   received   the   Printed  form  of  Memorial   for  a  new  warrant   to  meet  at   the  Masonic  Hall,  Coleraine  and  within  

Ireland  and  to  have  the  title  “Coleraine  Old  Boys’  Lodge”  –  Memorial  signed  by  forty-­‐five  brethren  from  various  lodges  and  recommend  James  Neill  Balmer  (P.M.  716)  as  first  W.M.;  Noel  M.  Henry  (716  &  127)  as  S.W.  and  Wm.  John  Bolton  (16)  as  J.W.  and  the  Memorial  was   recommended   by   Lodge  Nos.   1008,   366   and   235   and   the   P.G.M.   of   Londonderry  &  Donegal.  

 

The  Board  considered  this  memorial  at   its  meeting  on   the    12  Sept.  1991     to  establish  a  Lodge   at   Coleraine,   to   be   called   “Coleraine   Academical   Institution   Old   Boy’s   Lodge   No.  913.”     The  Memorial  was   recommended   by   Lodges  Nos.   235,   366   and   1008   and   by   the  P.G.L.  of  Londonderry  and  Donegal.    The  Board  recommended  the  issue  of  a  new  Warrant.  Grand   Lodge   ratified   this   recommendation  at   its  meeting  on   the   5th  October   1991.   The  Warrant  No  913  (  A  )  was  re-­‐issued  to  `Coleraine  Academical  Institution  Old  Boys  Lodge'  in  COLERAINE,  5  October  1991.  This  Lodge  can  meet  anywhere  in  Ireland.  

The    Lodge  was  Constituted  on  the  16th  November,  1991  for  the  Masonic  and  Social   Convenience   of   Old   Boys,   Masters   and   Governors   of     Coleraine  Academical     Institution,   all   of   the   Members   being   existing   Masons   who  affiliated  from  other  Lodges.  The  Lodge  meets  in  various  Masonic  Halls  within  the   jurisdiction  of   the  Grand   Lodge  of   Ireland,   but   having   Coleraine  Masonic  Hall   as   a   base   and   being   affiliated   with   the   Provincial   Grand   Lodge   of  Londonderry  and  Donegal.  One  might  say  that  the  Lodge  is  still  very  much  in  its  formative  stage  but  the  many  masons  with  distinguished  records  in  the  Order  who   have   joined   the   ranks   of   913   bodes   well   for   the   future.   membership  commenced   with   45   Founders   and   has   now   risen   to   53   with   some   further  applications  for  Affiliation  pending.  

Brethren,  I'm  sure  that  you  will  join  with  me  in  congratulation  the  members  of  these   various   Lodges   in   reaching   their   significant   anniversary,   and   hope   that  their  various  Lodges  continue  to  grow  and  prosper  in  the  years  ahead.  

End  of  the  Struggle.  

Sadly,  as  in  previous  years,  a  number  of  Lodges  have  decided  that  their  race  is  run,  and  that  they  want  to  Return  their  Warrants  to  Grand  Lodge,  To  date  the  Grand  Lodge  Board  of  General  Purposes  have  been  notified  that  the  following  Lodges  shall  be  returning  their  Warrants  in  the  next  few  weeks.  

William  Shannon  Lodge  No  373  Ballymacarrett.  

Finiston  Lodge  No  541      Arthur  Square,  Belfast  

Bloomfield  Lodge  No  543  Ballymacarrett.  

Stranmillis  Lodge  No  568      Arthur  Square,  Belfast  

Jewel  Lodge  No  592,  The  Mount,  Belfast.  

Peace  Love  and  Harmony  Lodge  No  684  Rosetta,  Belfast.  

Cavehill  Lodge  No  751  Whiteabbey.  

and  finally,  

New  Era  Lodge  No  777  Crumlin  Road,  Belfast.  

Here  again  Brethren,  we  owe  a  debt  of  gratitude  to  all   the  Brethren   in   these  Lodges   who   have   done   their   best   over   the   years,   and   have   now   decided   to  move  on,  by  amalgamation,  affiliation  or  otherwise  to  a  new  Masonic  future.  Here  to,  we  wish  these  Brethren  well  in  the  year  ahead.  

New  Starts.  

We  are  pleased  to  bring  this  report  to  a  close  with  the  happy  announcement  of  the  issue  of  a  new  Warrant  No  947  to  Constitute  a  new  Lodge,  to  be  known,  as  St  Patricks  Lodge  in  Freetown,  Sierra  Leone.