Freemasons in Dundalk make presentation to Alzheimer's Society of Ireland

^{Pictured above: Making a presentation of a cheque for €1,300 to Olivia Joyce of Alzheimer Society of Ireland were Provincial Grand Master of Armagh, R.W. Brother Gilbert T. Irvine; Deputy Provincial Grand Master of Armagh, Conor Kenny; with Lodge members, Robert Bothwell, David Curran Ken Ramsey and Eugene McCooey. Photo: Arthur Kinahan} 

Last Saturday saw the Freemasons from The Masonic Lodge 384 Dundalk, make a presentation of a cheque for €1,300 to the Alzheimer Society of Ireland.

Each year, the Freemasons in Dundalk install a new Master, with the Master deciding on which charity a donation will be made to. The decision to make the Alzheimer Society the beneficiary was made by last year's Master of the Lodge, David Connor.

Secretary of the Dundalk lodge, John Kerr, told the Dundalk Democrat that the annual event is marked with a dinner, with St Vincent de Paul to be the beneficiary of this year's charity collection.

“We're basically a charity collection organisation”, John explained. “I'm a member for maybe the last 18 years. There's three lodges in Dundalk, of which, a total of about 100 members.

“It's like a social gathering of like minded people. We have fundamental values of brotherly love, charity, we are totally non-denominational. We are non political. Anybody from any background can join.

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“We've been in Dundalk since 1802, so it goes back quite a number of years.”

The Masonic Hall at 23 Jocelyn Street in Dundalk, has become more known in recent years, due to it being opened as a historical site as part of the historical walking tours of Dundalk.

Talks in the town by the Freemasons as part of this has led to some new members joining.

Explaining a little more about Freemasons and what they do, John said that, “there's no secrets. It's just a group of men that gather to fundraise essentially.

“Freemasonry in Ireland dates well back well before 1800. It's broken up into four provinces, very much along the religious dioceses. We are part of the province of Armagh, of which there are 35 lodges. We're one of the smaller ones.

“There's quite a number of members spread throughout Ireland. They all come under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge in Dublin on Molesworth Street. All our laws and constitution comes from Molesworth Street.”

The organisation is open to men over the age of 25, with John explaining that, “you have to believe that there is a superior being, in God or whatever your religious beliefs are.

“It's pretty much a multi-denominational organisation. There's no requirements on being part of one. Nobody asks any questions, nobody is quizzed.

“We're strictly forbidden from having a political or religious connotations. We swear allegiance to our flag and our president, whoever that is at the time.”

Explaining their activities and the benefits it gives to be part of the organisation, John said that, “our lodge meets every month, most lodges meet every month and then we take a summer recess.

“As men get older it's good to have a social background. You can go to meetings at lodges anywhere around the country. Men as they get older tend to go to more meetings. It's a good thing for man to be sociable.

“A lot of men can be introverted. This gives them a chance to meet other men, have a bit of fun, a few jokes and be part of an organisation.

“We all like to be part of some organisation. That's what I get out of it. There's outside charities, then we also help each other, if brethren are in need.

“If they run into a problem with their family, they need education for their kids or medical issues, we support them, confidentially. That happens to in the organisation, there's a lot of that goes on but nobody talks about it, it's all done with confidentiality.”

Along with helping each other, the Freemasons try to give back to the local community as much as the can. “Last year there was a cheque of €3,000 that went to the women's refuge”, John added, referring to the donation they made to Woman's Aid Dundalk.

“We try to do that every year, just to give back to the community something of ourselves.”

John also adds that they are always looking for new members. For anyone interested in joining or looking for more information, John invites them to send a letter to the Dundalk Masonic Hall, at 23 Jocelyn Street, Dundalk, Co Louth.