Dublin 2007




It was decided that it was time the Lodge officially visited Grand Lodge and held a meeting in the Headquarters building. Neither 169 or 285 seem to have recorded a visit in their long history.

After some planning and asking advice from other Lodges etc the date was set for Saturday 19th May 2007. It was agreed that some members of 128 would accompany us. Through them we were able to get the use of a 33 seat bus which it was our responsibility to fill. It was decided that to help fill the bus we would open the trip to non Masons (eg. Wives and friends) who would like a day in the Irish Capital City and its shopping opportunities.

The bus picked all up (using three pick up points) and off we went early in the morning. Breakfast had been arranged in the Newry Masonic Hall using their caterers. This was really tremendous value with huge portions of Ulster Fry, cereals, toast and tea or coffee. They even supplied seconds for those amongst us who were greedy! We left Newry considerably heavier and headed for Dublin.

As usual the City was packed and the driver left us in Molesworth Street and went to park the bus, arranging a 5.30 pm pick up.

We were greeted in Grand Lodge by the Assistant Grand Secretary who had arranged for the Grand Lodge Tyler to give those interested a guided tour of the building. Jack was excellent and kept the information about the building in such a way that our non Masons really enjoyed the visit.

As lunch time approached we headed to the Boswell Hotel (across the road) for carvery lunch. Again this had been pre arranged and anyone keen to join us was very welcome. An excellent repast was supplied at reasonable cost. After a couple of refreshing drinks we returned to the Grand Lodge building to hold our Stated communication.

Worshipful Brother David Stone took the Chair for the meeting in the somewhat huge Grand Lodge room. Our business kept short consisting of.

Basic Masonic ritual. Then a few Brothers spoke at how pleased they were to visit the building and thank Grand Lodge for all their help.

Dougie Taylor then called the Deacons to escort the Secretary to the Dias for the main part of the days business. W. Brother Leach gave a short history of 169 to date followed by W. Brother Bob Lennox giving similar details of Tower of Lebanon 285. The merged Lodge was praised for its working to date.

At this point the Secretary changed places with Acting Deacon Leslie McCutcheon. He then reported that Leslie had been the first W. Master following the merger and we felt this needed to be better signified. Unknown to Leslie a local Mason, Tommy Yarr, had been busy making a presentation maul to be handed to leslie suitably engraved. A somewhat shocked Leslie was for once stuck for words. The W. Master took to maul back to us it to Close the Lodge before returning it.

The party returned to its seats to finish the business.

Sadly Grand Lodge caterers had closed the Library bar so we had to make our way back to the hotel to await the bus to return home.

Making a few stops for a smoke break the party were left back as close to home as possible all tired but very enthusiastic.


This page was last updated on Friday August 28, 2009


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