250th. Anniversary Year1756 - 2006Events held throught 2006 to celebrate
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Entered Apprentice Degree.
The years 2005/2006 have been historic years for St. Patrick's Masonic Lodge No. 43.
The year 2005 saw the 200th Anniversary of the replacement of Warrant No. 270
in 1805 (No. 270 being exchanged for the lower number of 43 in 1817),
and the year 2006 being the 250th
Anniversary of the foundation of the Lodge in Carrickfergus.
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The Brethren of the Lodge had been preparing for the principal events
and the first of these was an invitation to the Grand Lodge of Instruction
to visit Carrickfergus and see an exemplification of the E.A. Degree.
This was accepted by the G.L. of Inst. and so their opening Meeting
for the 2005/6 Session was held in Carrickfergus. All the current Officers of the Lodge
took part in the exemplification and all the work carried out, i.e. Opening, Receiving,
Conducting, Obligating, Instructing and Clothing of the Candidate,
received a good account from the G.L. of Instruction.
The next big date for the Lodge was St. Patrick's Day, Friday 17th March, 2006.
An Emergency Meeting of the Lodge had been called for 3 p.m. on this day
and the Lodge was honoured by the attendance of R. W. Bro. G. Dunlop,
Deputy Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Ireland and also R. W. Bro. J. Dunlop,
Provincial Grand Master of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Antrim and a large number
of other visiting Brethren. Among the large number was a representation
of our friends from Scotland, namely Brethren from Fortwilliam Lodge No. 43 (S.C.)
and also Lodge Battlefield No. 1258 (S.C.).
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Some of our guests for the special anniversay meeting. |
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At the Meeting, Congratulations and Gifts were exchanged and a short Paper was read
by W. Bro. Jim Adamson P.P.G.M.S.B. on the history of the Lodge from 1756.
After the closing of the Meeting an Official Reception was given by the
Deputy Mayor of the Borough which was attended by the R. W. Deputy Grand Master,
the Provincial Grand Master, the Wor. Master of Lodge 43, W.Bro. E. Moore,
Wor. Master of Loge 43 (S.C.), Wor. Master of Lodge 1258 (S.C.)
and other representatives of the Lodge, together with the Ladies.
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St. Patrick's Day concluded with an excellent Ladies Night in the Clarion Hotel
and again we were honoured by the attendance of the Deputy Grand Master.
After an excellent meal during which commemorative gifts were given both
to the Ladies and the Gentlemen, dancing continued until a late hour,
the Shamrock being duly honoured. Return to the top
The conclusion of a memorable weekend saw a special Divine Service
being held on the Sunday afternoon in Joymount Presbyterian Church
where a large congregation were welcomed by the Minister of the Church who conducted
the Service. In a sense it was appropriate for the Service to be at Joymount
as this Congregation and the Lodge have had a long and happy association
commencing with the foundation Minister of the Congregation
being initiated into the Lodge in 1853. Return to the top
As No. 270 was our original Warrant, it was felt that a good way to calebrate
our links with the earliest records of St. Patrick's was to send fraternal greetings
to St. George's in Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford who are now the proud
holders of Warrant No. 270.
This opening relationship grew to an invitation from 270 to visit them, and on 16th. November 2006
a party of some 40 masons, wives and friends took a long weekend coach trip to stay
in Wexford city and visit St. George's on Saturday 17th. Nov.
As was to be expected, we were well received by the Worshipful Master and the Provincial Grand Master of Wexford and members of 270.
What was to be a short meeting, turned into a most enjoyable exchange between the two
Lodges, with a presentation of an engraved Belfast Crystal decanter, accompanied by two
tumblers and a bottle to fill it with, a St. Patrick's 250th. anniversay jewel and also
one for the Provincial Grand Master and a Carrickfergus plaque.
The friendships made, not only at the Lodge meeting and the festive board afterwards,
but also amongst ourselves during the trip, will, we trust be the seeds of flowering relationships.
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Worshipful Master of St. George's Masonic Lodge No. 270. |
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The celebration of over 250 years of Freemasonry in the Borough continued
openly throughout the summer of 2006 with a very lovely
commemorative Flower Bed on the Marine Highway sponsored by St. Patrick’s.
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