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North Munster Masonic Centre, |
 Welcome
address by the Provincial Grand Master of North Munster G. Hugh Milne I cordially welcome you to the Web-site of the Provincial Grand Lodge of North Munster . The Province of North Munster was created in 1842, which at that time comprised the City and County of Limerick, the County of Clare and the towns of Nenagh - in Tipperary, an Charleville in North Cork. The first Provincial Grand Master was Bro. Michael Furnell, a Past Master of Lodge 13, and a High Sheriff of the County of Limerick. Lodges in the new Province included Union Lodge 13, Eden Lodge 73, both meeting in Limerick City, Emerald Lodge 49, Charleville, Lodge 60, Ennis - later to be named Dunboyne Lodge after Lord Dunboyne, Provincial Grand Master from 1868 to 1881 - Lodge 107, Kilrush and St James Lodge 208 meeting in Nenagh. In 1846, two new Lodges were formed, namely, Ormond Lodge 201 meeting in Nenagh, and Triune Lodge 333 meeting in Limerick City, while in 1851, Desmond Lodge 202 was formed and met in Newcastle West, Co. Limerick. The reorganisation of Masonic Provinces in 1868 enlarged North Munster to include Co. Tipperary, (not including Clonmel, Carrick-on-Suir and Roscrea), together with North Kerry and not including Tralee and Milltown. This brought in two more Lodges; St. Patrick's Lodge 311, Templemore and The Rock of Cashel Lodge 541, Cashel, Co. Tipperary. Later on, in 1873, Excelsior Lodge 268 was formed meeting in Limerick City. The Province could now be said to cover the Mid-West of Ireland, and while it continues unchanged in area to the present day, the same cannot be said of its constituent Lodges. As is commonly the case, some Lodges have closed while on the other hand, new Lodges have been formed as the populace has changed or moved away. There are at present 6 Lodges, 5 of which now meet in Limerick City. In late 1960's, the move from Number 6, The Crescent to 97 O'Connell Street - both of which were rented premises - was a temporary thing and we always had in mind the possibility of a permanent meeting place. In the late 1980's various venues were considered, and eventually title to our present site at Castle Street, King's Island - the old citadel of Limerick - and near King John's Castle was acquired in 1995/96. This fine building is now the culmination of all that effort and will be the home of Freemasonry in North Munster with its developing links with the wider community for many years to come. The new North Munster Masonic Centre is on the site of the old St. Munchin's Parochial Hall in King's Island, Limerick, and having retained as much of the old buildings as it was safe to do, we have extended them to suit the requirements of a Masonic Centre that will be open to the public. It is available for use by Community Groups, Schools and Voluntary Bodies (and will be fully wheelchair accessible particularly when the lift to the first floor has been installed). Facilities include Meeting rooms, a Museum and Library, and a Function room with full catering facilities. The Museum has a most interesting display of exhibits with Masonic connections showing the historical links and interaction between the Masonic Order and the commercial and social life of Limerick City and the surrounding area over the last 300 or more years. The new Centre is now fully open and visitors are most welcome. Visiting Brethren are always welcome at our meetings, and non-Masons are equally welcome to visit our premises. We are delighted to explain what Freemasons have to offer in terms of friendship integrity, and our charitable ethos. At present, visits and guided tours can be arranged by appointment, by sending an email to: The Provincial Grand Lodge of North Munster
G. Hugh Milne Copyright 2007 - Provincial Grand Lodge of North Munster - All Rights Reserved |