The Late Lord Donegall, Past Grand Master.

It is with deep sorrow and great regret that we learned of the passing of our much loved and respected Past Grand Master

THE MOST HONOURABLE THE MARQUESS OF DONEGALL L.V.O.

Lord Templemore, as he then was, joined the Masonic Order in 1953 shortly after succeeding to the title on the death of his father. He was initiated in Priory Lodge no. 241 (old) in New Ross, Co. Wexford; and became Worshipful Master in 1961. When that Lodge had to return the Warrant, he joined Meridian Lodge No. 12, and later still Royal Shamrock Lodge No. 32, Waterford.

In 1965 he was appointed Provincial Deputy Grand Master of the Province of the South Eastern Counties; and in 1968 he succeeded R.W. Bro. Robert Milne as Provincial Grand Master until his Installation as M.W. Grand Master in December 1981. He served the Office of Grand Master for 11 years with considerable distinction. Amongst the many honours accorded to him was being asked to be Senior Grand Warden of the United Grand Lodge of England for the years 1982 and 1983. He was also made an Honorary Member of the Grand Lodge of Scotland – the only other, at that time, being H.R.H. the Duke of Kent, Grand Master of England.

In 1975 Lord Templemore became the 7th. Marquess of Donegall on the death of his cousin; and, on reaching his 70th birthday, retired from the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen at Arms as one of its Senior Officers. For this service to the Crown he was invested with the L.V.O.

Over the years, Lord Donegall advanced through the successive branches of the Order and the Most Excellent Grand King was pleased to confer upon him the honour and dignity of Past Grand High Priest in 1983.

Dermot Richard Claude Chichester, 7th Marquess of Donegall, was born on the 18th April 1916 and passed away on the 19th April, 2007. He is succeeded by his son Patrick, Earl of Belfast.
In the words of his friend who gave the address at his funeral, “We were all the richer for having known him; and the poorer for now having lost him”.