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"Gentleman Freemasons". The article has the strong implication that this was not the first such election, but since no earlier reference has yet been found, the Grand Lodge of Ireland dates its foundation to 1725, making it the second oldest, and the oldest extant Grand Lodge in the World.<ref name="Blackburn">[http://www.franklin83.org/system/files/Brief+History+of+Irish+Freemasonry.pdf Benjamin Franklin Lodge #83, Madison, WI] Robert Blackburn, A Brief History of the Grand Lodge of Ireland, retrieved 25 January 2013</ref> At least as early as 1726, there was also a Grand Lodge to the South, in [[Munster]], which was absorbed by Dublin Grand Lodge in 1733.<ref name="Haywood">[http://www.freemasons-freemasonry.com/uk_grand_lodges.html Pietre Stones] H. L. Haywood, Various Grand Lodges, The Builder, vol X no 5, May 1924</ref>
"Gentleman Freemasons". The article has the strong implication that this was not the first such election, but since no earlier reference has yet been found, the Grand Lodge of Ireland dates its foundation to 1725, making it the second oldest, and the oldest extant Grand Lodge in the World.<ref name="Blackburn">[http://www.franklin83.org/system/files/Brief+History+of+Irish+Freemasonry.pdf Benjamin Franklin Lodge #83, Madison, WI] Robert Blackburn, A Brief History of the Grand Lodge of Ireland, retrieved 25 January 2013</ref> At least as early as 1726, there was also a Grand Lodge to the South, in [[Munster]], which was absorbed by Dublin Grand Lodge in 1733.<ref name="Haywood">[http://www.freemasons-freemasonry.com/uk_grand_lodges.html Pietre Stones] H. L. Haywood, Various Grand Lodges, The Builder, vol X no 5, May 1924</ref>


The Irish Grand Lodge was the first to issue warrants to lodges in their present form, and, unlike the other Grand Lodges in London and Edinburgh, had no problems in issuing warrants for travelling lodges. Thus it was that the majority of masonic lodges in the [[British Army]], wherever they came from, were warranted under the Irish Constitution. The form of masonry that the British Army spread in the colonies was predominantly Irish.<ref name="Baigent">The Temple and the Lodge, M. Baigent and R. Leigh, Arrow 1998</ref> It was an English regiment with an Irish warrant that started the lodge from which [[Prince Hall Freemasonry]] sprang.<ref>[http://www.princehall.org/History/Ray%20Colemans%20History.pdf Prince Hall History Education Class by Raymond T. Coleman(pdf)] retrieved 17 July 2012</ref>
The Irish Grand Lodge was the first to issue warrants to lodges in their present form, and, unlike the other Grand Lodges in London and Edinburgh, had no problems in issuing warrants for travelling lodges. Thus it was that the majority of masonic lodges in the [[British Army]], wherever they came from, were warranted under the Irish Constitution. The form of masonry that the British Army spread in the colonies was predominantly Irish.<ref name="Baigent">The Temple and the Lodge, M. Baigent and R. Leigh, Arrow 1998</ref> It was an English regiment with an Irish warrant that started the lodge from which [[Prince Hall Freemasonry]] sprang.<ref>[http://www.princehall.org/History/Ray%20Colemans%20History.pdf Prince Hall History Education Class by Raymond T. Coleman(pdf)] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303223554/http://www.princehall.org/History/Ray%20Colemans%20History.pdf |date=3 March 2016 }} retrieved 17 July 2012</ref>


In England, it was Irish Freemasons who set up a rival to the [[Premier Grand Lodge of England]], in the form of the Grand Lodge of England which we now call the ''[[Antient Grand Lodge of England|Antients]]''. The Grand Secretary of the Antients, [[Laurence Dermott]], based his regulations on Spratt's Irish constitutions. It was the Antients' ritual form that prevailed when the two rival English Grand Lodges joined in 1813.<ref name="Bywater">Witham Matthew Bywater, Notes on Laurence Dermott G.S. and his Work, London, 1884.</ref>
In England, it was Irish Freemasons who set up a rival to the [[Premier Grand Lodge of England]], in the form of the Grand Lodge of England which we now call the ''[[Antient Grand Lodge of England|Antients]]''. The Grand Secretary of the Antients, [[Laurence Dermott]], based his regulations on Spratt's Irish constitutions. It was the Antients' ritual form that prevailed when the two rival English Grand Lodges joined in 1813.<ref name="Bywater">Witham Matthew Bywater, Notes on Laurence Dermott G.S. and his Work, London, 1884.</ref>
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* [[Zimbabwe]]
* [[Zimbabwe]]


There are additionally several overseas lodges not attached to provinces, and two travelling lodges attached to [[British Army]] regiments.<ref>[http://www.irish-freemasons.org/Pages_GL/Overseas_Lodges/GL_Overseas_Lodges.html Grand Lodge of Ireland] Overseas Lodges, retrieved 26 January 2013</ref>
There are additionally several overseas lodges not attached to provinces, and two travelling lodges attached to [[British Army]] regiments.<ref>[http://www.irish-freemasons.org/Pages_GL/Overseas_Lodges/GL_Overseas_Lodges.html Grand Lodge of Ireland]{{dead link|date=October 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} Overseas Lodges, retrieved 26 January 2013</ref>


==Metropolitan Area==
==Metropolitan Area==
* The Metropolitan Area of [[Dublin]] contains 37 Masonic Lodges which are managed by a board under the Grand Lodge of Ireland.<ref>[http://www.irish-freemasons.org/Pages_GL/Provinces/Metropolitan_Area.html Grand Lodge of Ireland] Metropolitan Area, retrieved 26 January 2013</ref>
* The Metropolitan Area of [[Dublin]] contains 37 Masonic Lodges which are managed by a board under the Grand Lodge of Ireland.<ref>[http://www.irish-freemasons.org/Pages_GL/Provinces/Metropolitan_Area.html Grand Lodge of Ireland] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120801000208/http://www.irish-freemasons.org/Pages_GL/Provinces/Metropolitan_Area.html |date=1 August 2012 }} Metropolitan Area, retrieved 26 January 2013</ref>


==Grand Masters==
==Grand Masters==

Revision as of 10:25, 22 October 2017

Grand Lodge of Ancient, Free & Accepted Masons of Ireland
Formation1725
Location
  • Dublin
    Ireland
Region
Ireland
Websitefreemasons.ie

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 24 June. The Grand Lodge has regular Masonic jurisdiction over 13 Provincial Grand Lodges covering all the Freemasons of the island of Ireland, and another 12 provinces worldwide.

History

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, on which the date 1507 is inscribed. The brass square was recovered from Baal's Bridge in Limerick during reconstruction in 1830, and appeared to have been deliberately placed under the foundation stone of the old bridge. It is inscribed with the phrase, "I will strive to live with love and care, upon the level and by the square."[1]

According to the Dublin Weekly Journal, The 1st Earl of Rosse was elected as the new Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Ireland on 26 June 1725. The attendant procession included the Masters and Wardens of six lodges of "Gentleman Freemasons". The article has the strong implication that this was not the first such election, but since no earlier reference has yet been found, the Grand Lodge of Ireland dates its foundation to 1725, making it the second oldest, and the oldest extant Grand Lodge in the World.[2] At least as early as 1726, there was also a Grand Lodge to the South, in Munster, which was absorbed by Dublin Grand Lodge in 1733.[3]

The Irish Grand Lodge was the first to issue warrants to lodges in their present form, and, unlike the other Grand Lodges in London and Edinburgh, had no problems in issuing warrants for travelling lodges. Thus it was that the majority of masonic lodges in the British Army, wherever they came from, were warranted under the Irish Constitution. The form of masonry that the British Army spread in the colonies was predominantly Irish.[4] It was an English regiment with an Irish warrant that started the lodge from which Prince Hall Freemasonry sprang.[5]

In England, it was Irish Freemasons who set up a rival to the Premier Grand Lodge of England, in the form of the Grand Lodge of England which we now call the Antients. The Grand Secretary of the Antients, Laurence Dermott, based his regulations on Spratt's Irish constitutions. It was the Antients' ritual form that prevailed when the two rival English Grand Lodges joined in 1813.[6]

The early nineteenth century brought a series of setbacks for the Grand Lodge of Ireland. A dispute over the higher degrees led to a breakaway Grand Lodge of Ulster, operating from 1805 for nine years.[3] The Irish Famine of 1823 caused unrest, in which some lodges became centres of Republican activity, and Irish Freemasonry was briefly proscribed by the Government until 1825. In 1826, the Papal condemnation Quo Graviora, although only the latest of a series of anti-masonic measures by the Church, was the first to be rigidly enforced by the Irish clergy. Many Catholic Freemasons were threatened with excommunication, and resigned as a result.[2]

During the 18th century, individual Lodges had 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.[7]

Opposition

Freemasonry has faced suspicion and opposition from those who perceive the organisation to adhere to British unionism and favour Protestantism and even Orangism in Ireland (charges the Masons themselves deny), as well as laissez faire economics. As a result of the Catholic Church excluding its members from participation in Freemasonry, rival movements such as the Knights of Saint Columbanus were created and particularly during the 20th century as the Irish Free State was founded, the two groups were competitors. Some of the most vocal anti-masons have typically been supporters of a Catholic Ireland; priests such as Fr. Edward Cahill (author of "Freemasonry and the anti-Christian Movement") and Fr. Denis Fahey, are prominent examples of this school.

Provincial Grand Lodges in Ireland

Provincial Grand Lodges Overseas

There are additionally several overseas lodges not attached to provinces, and two travelling lodges attached to British Army regiments.[8]

Metropolitan Area

  • The Metropolitan Area of Dublin contains 37 Masonic Lodges which are managed by a board under the Grand Lodge of Ireland.[9]

Grand Masters

The Most Worshipful The Grand Master of Ireland, Douglas T. Grey.
Election Name
1725 The 1st Earl of Rosse
1731 The 4th Baron Kingston
1732 The 5th Viscount Netterville
1733 The 4th Viscount Barnewall (sometimes informally known as Lord Kingsland)
1735 The 4th Baron Kingston
1736 The 1st Viscount Tyrone (later Earl of Tyrone)
1738 The 3rd Viscount Mountjoy
1740 The 3rd Viscount Doneraile
1741 The 2nd Baron Moore
1743 The 2nd Baron Southwell
1744 The 3rd Viscount Allen
1747 Sir Marmaduke Wyvill, 6th Bt
1749 The 1st Baron Kingsborough
1751 Lord George Sackville (later Viscount Sackville)
1753 The Hon. Thomas George Southwell
1757 Brinsley, Lord Newtown-Butler
1758 The 6th Earl of Drogheda
1760 The 1st Earl of Charleville
1761 Sir Edward King, 5th Bt
1763 The 6th Earl of Westmeath
1767 The 5th Earl of Cavan
1769 The 1st Earl of Kingston
1770 William, Marquess of Kildare
1772 Randal, Viscount Dunluce
1774 The 2nd Earl of Belvedere
1776 The 1st Earl of Mornington
1777 The 2nd Duke of Leinster
1778 The 6th Earl of Antrim
1782 The 2nd Earl of Mornington
1783 The 1st Baron Muskerry
1785 Arthur, Viscount Kilwarlin
1787 The 2nd Viscount Glerawley (later Earl Annesley)
1789 The 2nd Baron Donoughmore
1813 The 3rd Duke of Leinster
1874 The 1st Duke of Abercorn
1886 The 2nd Duke of Abercorn
1913 The 6th Earl of Donoughmore
1948 Raymond Frederick Brooke
1964 The 7th Earl of Donoughmore
1981 The 7th Marquess of Donegall
1992 Darwin Herbert Templeton
2001 Eric Noel Waller
2006 George Dunlop
2014 Douglas T. Grey

References

  1. ^ Henry F. Berry, The "Marencourt" Cup and Ancient Square, preserved in the Union Lodge No 13, Limerick, Ars Quatuor Coronatorum, Vol XVIII, pp 13-19, London, 1905
  2. ^ a b Benjamin Franklin Lodge #83, Madison, WI Robert Blackburn, A Brief History of the Grand Lodge of Ireland, retrieved 25 January 2013
  3. ^ a b Pietre Stones H. L. Haywood, Various Grand Lodges, The Builder, vol X no 5, May 1924
  4. ^ The Temple and the Lodge, M. Baigent and R. Leigh, Arrow 1998
  5. ^ Prince Hall History Education Class by Raymond T. Coleman(pdf) Archived 3 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine retrieved 17 July 2012
  6. ^ Witham Matthew Bywater, Notes on Laurence Dermott G.S. and his Work, London, 1884.
  7. ^ Pick and Knight, The Pocket History of Freemasonry (1955), pp 136-164, The History of Irish Freemasonry
  8. ^ Grand Lodge of Ireland[permanent dead link] Overseas Lodges, retrieved 26 January 2013
  9. ^ Grand Lodge of Ireland Archived 1 August 2012 at the Wayback Machine Metropolitan Area, retrieved 26 January 2013
  • Waite, Arthur Edward (2007). A New Encyclopedia of Freemasonry. Vol. vol. I. Cosimo, Inc. p. 400. ISBN 1-60206-641-8. {{cite book}}: |volume= has extra text (help)