GM's Address 2007

UP	Grand Master's Address 2007 Brethren, today I celebrate my first anniversary as Grand Master of Ireland making this my second occasion to preside over the St John’s Day Installation Communication. I am delighted to have arrived, apparently unscathed at this juncture. I am also pleased that the Cabinet’s decision to reinstate this Communication on St. John’s Day has resulted in another excellent turnout, for which I sincerely thank you. As you are all aware, Craft Masonry is the bedrock of Freemasonry and its tenets and principles are sound; so much so, that when practised sincerely, honestly and with commitment, instils in us a sense of prestige and sets us apart as men of honour and integrity; an apparent anathema in modern times. Changing society’s perception of our Order will always be difficult, as the tide of public opinion will constantly ebb and flow and our closed-minded protractors will forever prevail. No sole generation of our members will solve this problem for all time, yet we all have a singular responsibility to exhibit high moral standards in the public place, in parallel with non-denial of our membership and an obligation to safeguard our standards of scrutiny, so ensuring that the quality of our membership continues to be of the highest order. My Grand Officers and I will continue to promote our Order in the public place with a view to achieving a more balanced view within the Media generally and through the medium of presentations to interested groups. It is quite unacceptable that we suffer not only from the enemy without but also the enemy within – a circumstance which should never exist if every freemason remained true to his obligations, practised brotherly love and fully embraced the Laws & Constitutions of Grand Lodge. We have all voluntary agreed, under oath, to obey these laws and in the event of unlawful violation, promised to accept the punishment decreed by Grand Lodge in the absence of any consideration of involving Civil Law. The incidence of violation must surely relate to the quality of membership! On that subject, it is alarming that in North America, maverick practices on the part of a number of Grand Lodges had to be met with stern and resolute action to prevent catastrophe; I am, of course, referring to the conferring of the 3 degrees in large theatres on multiple candidates. Fortunately there were those with the moral fibre to react before irremediable damage was done. On 5^th and 6^th November an important meeting was held in London at which at least forty European Grand Masters were present. It was a significant occasion when the Pro Grand Master of the United Grand Lodge of England, the Grand Master Mason of Scotland and I were privileged to make presentations to the assembled body. The purpose of the meeting was to raise issues relative to the practices of Grand Lodges within the European block. Papers were also presented by other Grand Masters with the purpose of creating an understanding between the many units in Europe, which was partly achieved. It is planned to hold further meetings of these bodies so that mutual harmony and understanding may result. It is believed that some European Grand Lodges are in favour of forming a Grand Lodge of Europe. A European Recognition Commission is currently under consideration; The Home Constitutions would be opposed to these moves. We were privileged to dine with the M.W. Grand Master of England, HRH Duke of Kent, at an exceedingly luxurious banquet held at Lincoln’s Inn. Much credit for the success of total event must go to the Pro Grand Master, The Most Hon. The Marquess of Northampton, the Deputy Grand Master, R.W.Bro. Peter Lowndes, and R.W.Bro John Hamill, Grand Archivist, for the quality the event. In late November, the Grand Secretary and I attended the National Grand Lodge of France in Paris, at which the new Grand Master was installed and proclaimed in the presence of around 3000 Freemasons, including the Grand Masters from forty seven Constitutions and their Deputations. The Ceremony was complex and enduring, taking some two hours alone to introduce each Grand Master’s Delegation, of which Ireland was the penultimate group. It was, however a marvellous experience during which we were treated majestically by our hosts – an occasion to remember. Considering my recent experiences, I was significantly inspired by my visit to Gibson Lodge No. 87 at Park Avenue when I attended their Centenary celebrations and witnessed tremendous enthusiasm and commitment to which they applied themselves to the established standards of traditional freemasonry. I thank them for their generosity and kindness. I was further inspired by my engagement with Francis Crossle Lodge No. 83 Newry on the occasion of their centenary when I had a enjoyable time with the Worshipful Master and his brethren and compliment them in carrying an esteemed name from the past to the present with all the honour due to it. A visit to Antient Union Lodge No. 13 Limerick was indeed a memorable event, celebrating it’s 275th year and meeting in a magnificent building, which is, without doubt, a credit to the brethren of North Munster. The past Provincial Grand Master R.W.Bro. Geoffrey Ashton and his successor R.W.Bro Hugh Milne must be congratulated on the excellent outcome of their endeavours. The Provincial Grand Master treated me exceptionally well and I tender my deepest appreciation to him. On 19^th November I was made most welcome at Lodge No. 5 Waterford on the occasion of their 250^th Anniversary. I enjoyed a tour of the city, conducted by V.W.Bro. Sean Murphy, which brought back some happy memories. The Provincial Grand Master, R.W.Bro. Tom McBain and his predecessor R.W. Bro. Arthur Keppel attended with me at a very pleasant meeting and Refreshment Board. I was delighted to invest R.W.Bro. Sam Dukelow in the office of Junior Grand Warden, an honour long overdue. Our numbers were greatly enhanced by the large deputation of members from Tyrone & Fermanagh who came to support him and who faithfully attend Grand Lodge Communications. I regret the absence of R.W.Bro. Adam McKinley our Senior Grand Warden Elect whose poor health caused him so much discomfort that he could not make the journey. May he recover well and soon be amongst us again. Our thoughts also go to R.W.Bro. Robert Thomson and we also wish him well. I especially thank our outgoing Provincial Grand Master of Down, R.W.Bro. Robert Armstrong for the stewardship of his area and wish him health and happiness for many years to come. I endorse my welcome to R.W.Bro. Dr. Richard Gray and look forward, with much expectation, to liaising with him in his new and important position. The Province of Antrim is currently in a state of flux with the forthcoming closure of Rosemary St Hall and the attendant return of seven Lodge Warrants. The problem of membership in the Belfast area has yet to be overcome and I feel that 2008 will allow the two Provinces to address this issue when current difficulties are resolved and the new Provincial Grand Master of Down has settled in. Finally, I would, once again, thank all the Provincial Grand Masters for the effective oversight of their areas and look forward with my Cabinet to working closely with them in reviewing the strengths and weaknesses of their respective provinces. I would especially thank my Deputy, my Assistant, the Grand Secretary, the Grand Treasurer and his Assistants for all the day to day work they do and all other administrators for the excellent support which I receive. Thank you Brethren and May God bless you all. M.W.Bro. George Dunlop Grand Master St. John’s Day December, 2007

Grand Master's Address 2007

Brethren, today I celebrate my first anniversary as Grand Master of Ireland making this my second occasion to preside over the St John’s Day Installation Communication.

I am delighted to have arrived, apparently unscathed at this juncture. I am also pleased that the Cabinet’s decision to reinstate this Communication on St. John’s Day has resulted in another excellent turnout, for which I sincerely thank you.

As you are all aware, Craft Masonry is the bedrock of Freemasonry and its tenets and principles are sound; so much so, that when practised sincerely, honestly and with commitment, instils in us a sense of prestige and sets us apart as men of honour and integrity; an apparent anathema in modern times.

Changing society’s perception of our Order will always be difficult, as the tide of public opinion will constantly ebb and flow and our closed-minded protractors will forever prevail. No sole generation of our members will solve this problem for all time, yet we all have a singular responsibility to exhibit high moral standards in the public place, in parallel with non-denial of our membership and an obligation to safeguard our standards of scrutiny, so ensuring that the quality of our membership continues to be of the highest order.

My Grand Officers and I will continue to promote our Order in the public place with a view to achieving a more balanced view within the Media generally and through the medium of presentations to interested groups.

It is quite unacceptable that we suffer not only from the enemy without but also the enemy within – a circumstance which should never exist if every freemason remained true to his obligations, practised brotherly love and fully embraced the Laws & Constitutions of Grand Lodge.

We have all voluntary agreed, under oath, to obey these laws and in the event of unlawful violation, promised to accept the punishment decreed by Grand Lodge in the absence of any consideration of involving Civil Law. The incidence of violation must surely relate to the quality of membership!

On that subject, it is alarming that in North America, maverick practices on the part of a number of Grand Lodges had to be met with stern and resolute action to prevent catastrophe; I am, of course, referring to the conferring of the 3 degrees in large theatres on multiple candidates. Fortunately there were those with the moral fibre to react before irremediable damage was done.

On 5^th and 6^th November an important meeting was held in London at which at least forty European Grand Masters were present. It was a significant occasion when the Pro Grand Master of the United Grand Lodge of England, the Grand Master Mason of Scotland and I were privileged to make presentations to the assembled body. The purpose of the meeting was to raise issues relative to the practices of Grand Lodges within the European block.

Papers were also presented by other Grand Masters with the purpose of creating an understanding between the many units in Europe, which was partly achieved. It is planned to hold further meetings of these bodies so that mutual harmony and understanding may result.

It is believed that some European Grand Lodges are in favour of forming a Grand Lodge of Europe. A European Recognition Commission is currently under consideration; The Home Constitutions would be opposed to these moves.

We were privileged to dine with the M.W. Grand Master of England, HRH Duke of Kent, at an exceedingly luxurious banquet held at Lincoln’s Inn. Much credit for the success of total event must go to the Pro Grand Master, The Most Hon. The Marquess of Northampton, the Deputy Grand Master, R.W.Bro. Peter Lowndes, and R.W.Bro John Hamill, Grand Archivist, for the quality the event.

In late November, the Grand Secretary and I attended the National Grand Lodge of France in Paris, at which the new Grand Master was installed and proclaimed in the presence of around 3000 Freemasons, including the Grand Masters from forty seven Constitutions and their Deputations. The Ceremony was complex and enduring, taking some two hours alone to introduce each Grand Master’s Delegation, of which Ireland was the penultimate group. It was, however a marvellous experience during which we were treated majestically by our hosts – an occasion to remember.

Considering my recent experiences, I was significantly inspired by my visit to Gibson Lodge No. 87 at Park Avenue when I attended their Centenary celebrations and witnessed tremendous enthusiasm and commitment to which they applied themselves to the established standards of traditional freemasonry. I thank them for their generosity and kindness.

I was further inspired by my engagement with Francis Crossle Lodge No. 83 Newry on the occasion of their centenary when I had a enjoyable time with the Worshipful Master and his brethren and compliment them in carrying an esteemed name from the past to the present with all the honour due to it.

A visit to Antient Union Lodge No. 13 Limerick was indeed a memorable event, celebrating it’s 275th year and meeting in a magnificent building, which is, without doubt, a credit to the brethren of North Munster. The past Provincial Grand Master R.W.Bro. Geoffrey Ashton and his successor R.W.Bro Hugh Milne must be congratulated on the excellent outcome of their endeavours. The Provincial Grand Master treated me exceptionally well and I tender my deepest appreciation to him.

On 19^th November I was made most welcome at Lodge No. 5 Waterford on the occasion of their 250^th Anniversary. I enjoyed a tour of the city, conducted by V.W.Bro. Sean Murphy, which brought back some happy memories. The Provincial Grand Master, R.W.Bro. Tom McBain and his predecessor R.W. Bro. Arthur Keppel attended with me at a very pleasant meeting and Refreshment Board.

I was delighted to invest R.W.Bro. Sam Dukelow in the office of Junior Grand Warden, an honour long overdue. Our numbers were greatly enhanced by the large deputation of members from Tyrone & Fermanagh who came to support him and who faithfully attend Grand Lodge Communications.

I regret the absence of R.W.Bro. Adam McKinley our Senior Grand Warden Elect whose poor health caused him so much discomfort that he could not make the journey. May he recover well and soon be amongst us again. Our thoughts also go to R.W.Bro. Robert Thomson and we also wish him well.

I especially thank our outgoing Provincial Grand Master of Down, R.W.Bro. Robert Armstrong for the stewardship of his area and wish him health and happiness for many years to come. I endorse my welcome to R.W.Bro. Dr. Richard Gray and look forward, with much expectation, to liaising with him in his new and important position.

The Province of Antrim is currently in a state of flux with the forthcoming closure of Rosemary St Hall and the attendant return of seven Lodge Warrants. The problem of membership in the Belfast area has yet to be overcome and I feel that 2008 will allow the two Provinces to address this issue when current difficulties are resolved and the new Provincial Grand Master of Down has settled in.

Finally, I would, once again, thank all the Provincial Grand Masters for the effective oversight of their areas and look forward with my Cabinet to working closely with them in reviewing the strengths and weaknesses of their respective provinces. I would especially thank my Deputy, my Assistant, the Grand Secretary, the Grand Treasurer and his Assistants for all the day to day work they do and all other administrators for the excellent support which I receive.

Thank you Brethren and May God bless you all.

M.W.Bro. George Dunlop Grand Master
St. John’s Day December, 2007