Antient Union 13
Meets at the
North Munster Masonic Centre,
Castle Street, King's Island, Limerick
on the 2nd Friday of every Month
except June, July & August.
The Warrant
no.13 was issued to 'Antient Union Lodge' in Limerick, on the 22nd
November 1732. However, this date only coincides with a time when
records began.
Lodge 13 have
in their archives a old brass square that was found under the
foundations of Baals Bridge. This Square dated 1507 is
reputed to be one of the earliest Masonic items in the world.
Click here
for more information on the Baals Bridge Square.
Lodge 13 suffered
many ups and down in its Masonic history, but was fortunate enough
that its Warrant was never surrendered, suspended or cancelled. The
Lodge records from 1732 to 1793 have not survived. However, from 1793
onwards the records are preserved in the archives of The Grand Lodge of
Ireland.
The Lodge went
through a period of two years 1808-1810, when meetings were not held. It
was revived in 1810 by a Bro Francis Wheeler, who was installed Master
that year. W.Bro. Wheeler got things on an even keel for a few
years generally improving attendances at meetings. Sadly a second
quiet period occurred between the 24th June 1816 and July 1819, when
no transactions were recorded. However, a further revival
took place and the Brethren met, elected new Officers, re-establishing
the said Lodge for future meetings.
Sadly Bro Wheeler
was called to The Grand Lodge Above in October 1820. His Brethren,
appear to have pulled out all the stops for his funeral as noted by
the Limerick Chronicle in its report of the 27th October 1820. This
account is not only interesting in itself but throws much light on the
ceremonial Masonic dress, insignia and working tools found in Lodge in
the early part of the 19th century. The report of the funeral
procession reads as follows:
Order of Procession.
Tyler of 271 with Sword and Insignia.
Two
Deacons with Wands.
The
Band of the County Limerick Militia.
Two
Wardens with truncheons.
Junior Brethren two and two.
Senior Brethren two and two.
Two
Brethren carrying the Holy Bible covered with black crepe.
The
Master of '271 and Past Master.
The
Tyler of Waterloo Lodge (of the 79th Regiment) No 233 on the
Registry of England.
Two
Deacons bearing staves with doves covered with black crepe.
Band
of the 79th Regt with drums muffled.
Two
Wardens with truncheons covered in black crepe.
Visiting Brethren from the Royal Artillery two and two.
The
Holy Bible borne on a crimson cushion by two Brethren with insignia.
The Master of the Lodge and Past Master.
Tyler of No 13.
Two
Deacons with wands.
The
Band of the City of Limerick Regiment, with muffled drums covered
with black crepe.
Visiting Brethren two and two in mourning.
The
Members of No 13 two and two in mourning.
The
Treasurer. The Secretary. (in rich scarlet cloaks, black crepe
hatbands and with wands and crepe knots.)
Senior Warden. Junior Warden. (in rich scarlet cloaks, black crepe
hatbands and white gloves.)
The
Royal Arch with Lodge within, borne by two Brethren and covered with
crepe.
The
Past Master.
The
Master with rich scarlet cloak, in deep mourning.
Four
women, clad in white linen.
Two
Medical Gentlemen, in scarves and cypresses.
The
Chaplain of Lodge 13 in full costume.
The
Hearse etc., supported with Knight Templars, Mourners etc.
and
Knight Templar in black gown and full mourning bearing the Black
Standard.
Clearly this must
have been a most solemn and impressive occasion. Grand Lodge Laws and
Constitutions, right up to the year 1850 included the order of
procession and the exact form of wording to be used at Masonic
funerals, as an integral part of its content. It would be many years
thereafter before the tradition of a Masonic burial would finally
cease.

On the 5th
December 1820, the Lodge Members of Antient Union No 13 passed a
motion that the "Best thanks of this Lodge be presented, along with a
gold medal to W. Bro Christopher Marratt, Mayor of this city, for the
excellent manner in which he discharged his duties as W.M. of this
Lodge". Interestingly enough it was the very next year that we find
record of a solid silver snuff box amongst the possessions of the
Lodge (donated by an un-named benefactor). This snuff box is still
used today at special festive gatherings together with the Mariencourt
Cup.

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Provincial Grand Lodge of North Munster - All Rights
Reserved