THE GRAND MASTER'S QUARTERLY ADDRESS

The Grand Master, in the course of his quarterly address, said I begin on a very sad note by referring, once again, to the sudden death of R.W. Bro. William (Bill) Mawhinney, P.A.G.M. who died on the 9th April. We both served under the Immediate Past G.M., Most W. Bro. Eric Waller and were privileged to be on the same team led by a most capable Grand Master.

As a person, Bill was a very good friend and a joy to know; he had a greeting for everyone and had a friendly disposition at all times. He will be sadly missed and I would tender my heartfelt sympathy to his dear wife Kate, to Michael, Joanne and their families. May God sustain and comfort them at this time. His Obituary will be published in the autumn issue of Grand Lodge News.

Since the Grand Lodge Communication in Galway, I have been busy with Lodge visitations and various events, the most important of which was the Installation of R.W. Bro. Richard Gray as Provincial Grand Master of Down.

I congratulate Bro. Gray on achieving this significant point in his Masonic career, of which he has every right to feel proud in that he follows in his late father's footsteps. I know that the Province is still in safe hands and I am confident that Richard's drive and enthusiasm will achieve much during his period of office. I wish him well and thank his predecessor, R.W. Bro. Robert Armstrong for his diligent overseeing and vigorous stewardship during his tenure at the helm

In early May, I attended the World Conference of Masonic Grand Lodges in Washington DC., entitled `Universal Fraternity in Action'. The event was exceptionally well attended, especially by Grand Masters and delegates from every corner of the world and the venue was most appropriate. R.W. Bro. Tom Jackson. Executive Secretary of the Conference, skillfully preserved the continuity of the Conference and summarised specific and general presentations most professionally.

The Almoner's Conference held in April was very successful and I would thank the R.W. Assistant Grand Master for organising it. The work of the Almoner is a most important function, requiring Brethren with special skills to meet the needs of the beneficiaries. I thank them all.

I attended a meeting of the GMF Committee in the North and appreciated the tricky problems and important decisions they have to make. Their commitment to the task was truly laudable as is that of the Brethren in general : for instance I was most impressed by the determination of three Brethren who are undertaking a sponsored `Long Run Down' from Belfast to Dublin and then taking part in the Dublin marathon. They have the support of many other runners and I would appeal to local Brethren along the way to assist them in whatever way they can.  Also, The Millennium Golf Competition Committee, led by R.W. Bro. Noel Simpson and his wife, has already shown significant generosity for which I thank them. 

Looking to the future, our Provincial Grand Lodge of Ghana plans to merge with their Scottish counterparts in forming a Grand Lodge of Ghana. We readily support them and will, in cooperation with the Grand Lodge of Scotland, conduct the Ceremony of Constitution which is expected to happen before the end of the year.

New Charity Legislation is being tabled by the ROI Government; a draft Bill is in preparation and the Cabinet has been considering the potential consequences (if any) for our respective Funds when the amended law is adopted.

Thanks to R.W.Bro. Jack Dunlop, PAGM of Antrim, I have commissioned a documentary on `Irish Freemasonry' through an independent producer, whose work we will monitor closely to ensure that we do not suffer another `witch‑hunt'. It will take about a year to complete and be sold to the main Television Channels. 

We continue to welcome meetings with the media, churches and other community groups and greatly value the input from our PR Officer, V.W.Bro. Trevor Hanna, whose ready access to the press affords us opportunities to reassure the public of the true nature of our Order. Thus, I have recently received a request to meet with the `Hard Gospel' group of the Church of Ireland and have appointed a Masonic group to meet with them later this month.

 We constantly strive to correct the public's misperception of Freemasonry and acknowledge that secularism is a real and growing threat to the moral standards which we embrace.

 As Freemasons, we must accentuate the positives of Freemasonry. We are privileged to be members of this prestigious Order and we should see that all our actions and associations constantly endorse this image.

WELCOME TO VISITING BRETHREN

The Grand Master welcomed Brethren from overseas who were attending including R.W.Bros. Alabo T. O. Graham‑Douglas, Michael Gwynn and St. Clair Brinkworth Tucker, Provincial Grand Masters and Nana Herman Mould, Past Provincial Grand Master. He also welcomed the Provincial Deputy Grand Master of Bermuda and members of Abercorn Lodge No. 123 to whom he presented a Centenary certificate and one of whom, in turn, made a presentation to him.

The Grand Master, in welcoming the annual large delegation from Glittering Star Lodge No. 322, referred to the Lodge's celebration of its 250th Anniversary next year.

Bro. Thomas Bradley, the Provincial Grand Master of Fife and Kinross, along with two English Brethren, was present as a guest of one of our members.

There was also in attendance, and for his first visit, R.W. Bro. Peter Gobel, our Representative at the United Grand Lodges of Germany; and four Finnish Brethren who had travelled to participate in a Masonic golf charity outing the following day.

CHARITY COLLECTION

The Charity Collection amounted to €1,519.01

GRAND LODGE CLOSED

Later that evening over one hundred Brethren and their companions enjoyed a buffet supper at the conclusion of which the Grand Master made a short address.