Grand Lodge of Ireland
Encyclopedia
The Grand Lodge of Ireland is the second most senior Grand Lodge
of Freemasons
in the world, and the oldest in continuous existence. Since no specific record of its foundation exists, 1725 is the year celebrated in Grand Lodge anniversaries, as the oldest reference to Grand Lodge of Ireland comes from the Dublin Weekly Journal of 26 June 1725. This describes a meeting of the Grand Lodge to install the new Grand Master, the 1st Earl of Rosse
, on June 24. The Grand Lodge has jurisdiction over 13 Provincial Grand Lodges covering all the Freemasons of the island of Ireland
, and another 12 provinces worldwide.
There is considerable evidence of Masonic Lodges meeting in Ireland prior to the 18th century. The story of the "Lady Freemason", Elizabeth St Leger, dates to a time prior to the existence of the Grand Lodge, also there are references to Lodge meetings across Dublin in a speech given in Trinity College, Dublin
as far back as 1688. The oldest artifact of Fraternal Masonry in Ireland, and one of the oldest masonic artifacts in the world is the Baal's Bridge Square, which dates from 1507. The brass square was recovered from Baals Bridge in Limerick
during excavations and is inscribed with the phrase, "I will strive to live with love and care, upon the level and by the square."(http://www.freemasonsnorthmunster.com/Baal's_Bridge_Square.htm)
During the 18th century individual Lodges met at inns, taverns and coffee houses, while the meetings of the Grand Lodge, generally took place in civic and guild buildings. During the early 19th century Grand Lodge began leasing buildings as semi-permanent Masonic facilities, for example, the Grand Lodge for a time held residence at No. 19, Dawson Street
in Dublin which is the current home of the Royal Irish Academy
. From Dawson Street, the Grand Lodge moved to Commercial Buildings on Dame Street
until Grand Lodge along with most Metropolitan Lodges moved to a new, purpose built facility on Molesworth Street. In 1869 the current, purpose built headquarters of Irish Freemasonry, Freemasons' Hall on Molesworth Street, opened, housing dramatically decorated Lodge rooms, a library, museum, offices and dining areas.
Grand Lodge
A Grand Lodge, or "Grand Orient", is the usual governing body of "Craft", or "Blue Lodge", Freemasonry in a particular jurisdiction. The first Masonic Grand Lodge was established in England in 1717 as the Premier Grand Lodge of England....
of Freemasons
Freemasonry
Freemasonry is a fraternal organisation that arose from obscure origins in the late 16th to early 17th century. Freemasonry now exists in various forms all over the world, with a membership estimated at around six million, including approximately 150,000 under the jurisdictions of the Grand Lodge...
in the world, and the oldest in continuous existence. Since no specific record of its foundation exists, 1725 is the year celebrated in Grand Lodge anniversaries, as the oldest reference to Grand Lodge of Ireland comes from the Dublin Weekly Journal of 26 June 1725. This describes a meeting of the Grand Lodge to install the new Grand Master, the 1st Earl of Rosse
Earl of Rosse
Earl of Rosse is a title that has been created twice in the Peerage of Ireland, both times for members of the Parsons family. It is not to be confused with the Scottish title of Earl of Ross. The Parsons family were originally an English family of which five brothers settled in Ireland during the...
, on June 24. The Grand Lodge has jurisdiction over 13 Provincial Grand Lodges covering all the Freemasons of the island of Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
, and another 12 provinces worldwide.
There is considerable evidence of Masonic Lodges meeting in Ireland prior to the 18th century. The story of the "Lady Freemason", Elizabeth St Leger, dates to a time prior to the existence of the Grand Lodge, also there are references to Lodge meetings across Dublin in a speech given in Trinity College, Dublin
Trinity College, Dublin
Trinity College, Dublin , formally known as the College of the Holy and Undivided Trinity of Queen Elizabeth near Dublin, was founded in 1592 by letters patent from Queen Elizabeth I as the "mother of a university", Extracts from Letters Patent of Elizabeth I, 1592: "...we...found and...
as far back as 1688. The oldest artifact of Fraternal Masonry in Ireland, and one of the oldest masonic artifacts in the world is the Baal's Bridge Square, which dates from 1507. The brass square was recovered from Baals Bridge in Limerick
Limerick
Limerick is the third largest city in the Republic of Ireland, and the principal city of County Limerick and Ireland's Mid-West Region. It is the fifth most populous city in all of Ireland. When taking the extra-municipal suburbs into account, Limerick is the third largest conurbation in the...
during excavations and is inscribed with the phrase, "I will strive to live with love and care, upon the level and by the square."(http://www.freemasonsnorthmunster.com/Baal's_Bridge_Square.htm)
During the 18th century individual Lodges met at inns, taverns and coffee houses, while the meetings of the Grand Lodge, generally took place in civic and guild buildings. During the early 19th century Grand Lodge began leasing buildings as semi-permanent Masonic facilities, for example, the Grand Lodge for a time held residence at No. 19, Dawson Street
Dawson Street
Dawson Street is one of the main streets of central Dublin, running parallel to Grafton Street, to which it is connected by Duke Street and South Anne Street...
in Dublin which is the current home of the Royal Irish Academy
Royal Irish Academy
The Royal Irish Academy , based in Dublin, is an all-Ireland, independent, academic body that promotes study and excellence in the sciences, humanities and social sciences. It is one of Ireland's premier learned societies and cultural institutions and currently has around 420 Members, elected in...
. From Dawson Street, the Grand Lodge moved to Commercial Buildings on Dame Street
Dame Street
Dame Street is a large thoroughfare in Dublin, Ireland. The street is the location of many banks such as AIB, Ulster Bank and the Central Bank of Ireland. It is close to Ireland's oldest university, Trinity College, Dublin, founded in 1592, the entrance to which is a popular meeting spot.During...
until Grand Lodge along with most Metropolitan Lodges moved to a new, purpose built facility on Molesworth Street. In 1869 the current, purpose built headquarters of Irish Freemasonry, Freemasons' Hall on Molesworth Street, opened, housing dramatically decorated Lodge rooms, a library, museum, offices and dining areas.
Provincial Grand Lodges in Ireland
- Antrim
- Armagh
- North Connaught
- South Connaught
- Down
- Derry & Donegal
- Meath
- Midland Counties
- Munster
- North Munster
- South Eastern
- Tyrone & Fermanagh
- Wicklow & Wexford
Provincial Grand Lodges Overseas
- Bermuda
- Far East
- Ghana
- India
- Jamaica
- South East Asia
- Natal
- New Zealand
- Nigeria
- South Africa Northern
- Southern Cape Province
- Sri Lanka
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
Metropolitan Area
- The Metropolitan Area of Dublin contains 34 Masonic Lodges which are managed by a board under the Grand Lodge of Ireland.
Grand Masters
| Election | Name |
|---|---|
| 1725 | Richard Parsons, 1st Earl of Rosse Richard Parsons, 1st Earl of Rosse Richard Parsons, 1st Earl of Rosse , Freemason and a founder-member of the Hell-Fire Club, 2nd Viscount Rosse of Bellamont co. Dublin, Baron Oxmantown, 3rd baronet.... |
| 1731 | James King, 4th Baron Kingston |
| 1732 | Nicholas Netterville, 5th Viscount Netterville |
| 1733 | Henry Barnewall, 4th Viscount Kingsland |
| 1735 | James King, 4th Baron Kingston |
| 1736 | Marcus Beresford, 1st Viscount Tyrone Marcus Beresford, 1st Earl of Tyrone Marcus Beresford, 1st Earl of Tyrone , known as Sir Marcus Beresford, 4th Baronet until 1720 and subsequently as The Viscount Tyrone until 1746, was an Irish peer, freemason and politician.-Background:... (later Earl of Tyrone) |
| 1738 | William Stewart, 3rd Viscount Mountjoy William Stewart, 1st Earl of Blessington William Stewart, 1st Earl of Blessington was an Anglo-Irish peer and member of the House of Lords, styled The Honourable William Stewart until 1728 and known as The Viscount Mountjoy from 1728 to 1745.... |
| 1740 | Arthur St Leger, 3rd Viscount Doneraile |
| 1741 | Charles Moore, 2nd Baron Moore of Tullamore |
| 1743 | Thomas Southwell, 2nd Baron Southwell Thomas Southwell, 2nd Baron Southwell Thomas Southwell, 2nd Baron Southwell PC , FRS , styled The Honourable from 1717 until 1720, was an Irish peer, politician and freemason.-Background:... |
| 1744 | John Allen, 3rd Viscount Allen John Allen, 3rd Viscount Allen John Allen, 3rd Viscount Allen was an Irish peer and politician.He was the son of Joshua Allen, 2nd Viscount Allen. Allen was a Member of Parliament for Carysfort from 1733 until 1742, when he succeeded his father as Viscount Allen... |
| 1747 | Sir Marmaduke Wyvill, 6th Bt |
| 1749 | Robert King, 1st Baron Kingsborough |
| 1751 | Lord George Sackville (later Viscount Sackville) |
| 1753 | Hon. Thomas George Southwell Thomas Southwell, 1st Viscount Southwell Thomas George Southwell, 1st Viscount Southwell , styled The Honourable from birth until 1766, was an Irish politician and freemason.-Background:... |
| 1757 | Brinsley Butler, Lord Newtown-Butler Brinsley Butler, 2nd Earl of Lanesborough Brinsley Butler, 2nd Earl of Lanesborough, PC , styled The Honourable until 1756 and Lord Newtown-Butler from 1756 to 1768, was an Irish politician and peer.... |
| 1758 | Charles Moore, 6th Earl of Drogheda Charles Moore, 1st Marquess of Drogheda Field Marshal Charles Moore, 1st Marquess of Drogheda KP, PC was a British peer and military officer, styled Viscount Moore until 1758.-Military career:... |
| 1760 | Charles Moore, 1st Earl of Charleville |
| 1761 | Sir Edward King, 5th Bt |
| 1763 | Thomas Nugent, 6th Earl of Westmeath Thomas Nugent, 6th Earl of Westmeath Thomas Nugent, 6th Earl of Westmeath KP PC , styled Lord Delvin from 1752 to 1754 was an Irish peer and freemason.... |
| 1767 | Ford Lambart, 5th Earl of Cavan Ford Lambart, 5th Earl of Cavan Ford Lambart, 5th Earl of Cavan was an Irish peer and freemason.He was born in 1718 in Maryborough. Lambart was elected Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Ireland in 1767, a post he held for the next two years.... |
| 1769 | Edward King, 1st Earl of Kingston |
| 1770 | William FitzGerald, Marquess of Kildare William FitzGerald, 2nd Duke of Leinster William Robert FitzGerald, 2nd Duke of Leinster, etc. KP, PC was an Irish liberal politician and landowner. He was born in London.-Career:... |
| 1772 | Randal MacDonnell, Viscount Dunluce |
| 1774 | George Rochfort, 2nd Earl of Belvedere |
| 1776 | Garret Wesley, 1st Earl of Mornington Garret Wesley, 1st Earl of Mornington Garret Colley Wesley, 1st Earl of Mornington was an Anglo-Irish politician and composer, best known today for fathering several distinguished British military commanders and politicians.-Life:... |
| 1777 | William FitzGerald, 2nd Duke of Leinster William FitzGerald, 2nd Duke of Leinster William Robert FitzGerald, 2nd Duke of Leinster, etc. KP, PC was an Irish liberal politician and landowner. He was born in London.-Career:... |
| 1778 | Randal MacDonnell, 6th Earl of Antrim |
| 1782 | Richard Wellesley, 2nd Earl of Mornington Richard Wellesley, 1st Marquess Wellesley Richard Colley Wesley, later Wellesley, 1st Marquess Wellesley, KG, PC, PC , styled Viscount Wellesley from birth until 1781, was an Anglo-Irish politician and colonial administrator.... |
| 1783 | Robert Deane, 1st Baron Muskerry Robert Deane, 1st Baron Muskerry Robert Tilson Deane, 1st Baron Muskerry PC , known as Sir Robert Deane, 6th Baronet from 1770 to 1781, was an Irish politician.... |
| 1785 | Arthur Hill, Viscount Kilwarlin Arthur Hill, 2nd Marquess of Downshire Arthur Hill, 2nd Marquess of Downshire PC, FRS , styled Viscount Kilwarlin until 1789 and Earl of Hillsborough from 1789 to 1793, was a British peer and MP.-Life:... |
| 1787 | Francis Annesley, 2nd Viscount Glerawley (later Earl of Annesley) |
| 1789 | Richard Hely-Hutchinson, 2nd Baron Donoughmore Richard Hely-Hutchinson, 1st Earl of Donoughmore Richard Hely Hely-Hutchinson, 1st Earl of Donoughmore , styled The Honourable Richard Hely-Hutchinson from 1783 to 1788, was an Irish peer and politician.... |
| 1813 | Augustus FitzGerald, 3rd Duke of Leinster Augustus FitzGerald, 3rd Duke of Leinster Augustus Frederick FitzGerald, 3rd Duke of Leinster, etc., PC, PC was an Irish peer and freemason, styled Marquess of Kildare from birth until 1804. He was born and died in Carton.... |
| 1874 | James Hamilton, 1st Duke of Abercorn James Hamilton, 1st Duke of Abercorn James Hamilton, 1st Duke of Abercorn KG PC , styled Viscount Hamilton from 1814 to 1818 and the Marquess of Abercorn from 1818 to 1868, was a British Conservative politician and statesman who twice served as Lord Lieutenant of Ireland.In 1860, The Times noted that Hamilton was one of only three to... |
| 1886 | James Hamilton, 2nd Duke of Abercorn James Hamilton, 2nd Duke of Abercorn James Hamilton, 2nd Duke of Abercorn KG, CB, PC , styled Viscount Hamilton until 1868 and Marquess of Hamilton from 1868 to 1885, was a British nobleman and diplomat... |
| 1913 | Richard Hely-Hutchinson, 6th Earl of Donoughmore Richard Hely-Hutchinson, 6th Earl of Donoughmore Richard Walter Hely-Hutchinson, 6th Earl of Donoughmore KP, PC , styled Viscount Suirdale until 1900, was an Irish peer and Conservative politician... |
| 1948 | Raymond Frederick Brooke |
| 1964 | John Hely-Hutchinson, 7th Earl of Donoughmore John Hely-Hutchinson, 7th Earl of Donoughmore John Michael Henry Hely-Hutchinson, 7th Earl of Donoughmore , known until 1848 by his courtesy title Viscount Suirdale, was a British politician who later sat as a hereditary peer in the House of Lords.... |
| 1981 | Dermot Chichester, 7th Marquess of Donegall Dermot Chichester, 7th Marquess of Donegall Dermot Richard Claud Chichester, 7th Marquess of Donegall LVO was an Irish soldier, landowner and member of the House of Lords.... |
| 1992 | Darwin Herbert Templeton |
| 2001 | Eric Noel Waller |
| 2006 | George Dunlop |