Hundreds turn out for Freemasons gathering

Hundreds turn out for Freemasons gathering

10 February 2016

AROUND 500 Freemasons met last week at the La Mon Hotel and Country Club for the largest gathering of members of the Order seen in Ireland for many years.

Masons travelled to the venue for the annual installation and investiture of officers of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Down which is the highlight of the year in the Masonic province of Down.

Freemasons from most of the 150 lodges which make up the Order’s membership in the Province of Down attended as did members from the other Masonic provinces in Ireland and other branches of the Order. Among them was the Order’s Grand Master, Most Worshipful Brother Douglas T. Grey who travelled from Dublin for the occasion.

Prior to the meeting, the Provincial Grand Master of Down, Right Worshipful Brother Roger Matthews, who lives in Cloughey, hosted a celebratory dinner before the afternoon-long meeting. 

“We were particularly pleased to have the Grand Master with us for our Installation. Attendance at this meeting is now greater than ever and I believe we filled most, if not all the seats provided,” he continued.

“Freemasonry offers those who are members the opportunity to make themselves 

better individuals and it demonstrates to others that they are kind, considerate and charitable to those less fortunate than themselves, irrespective of whether they are Freemasons or not.”

Mr Matthews added: “We are not a religion. Our beliefs are compatible with all religions which believe in a supreme being. Our values are based upon integrity, kindness, honesty and fairness.

Our Order also offers its members the opportunity to meet new friends and old ones on a regular basis.”