It is commonly believed that the Masonic fraternity evolved out of a guild of stone-masons dating from the middle-ages.  

 

As the centuries passed, many people in society became members of those masonic guilds and by the early enlightenment era, Freemasonry had become a purely social and fraternal institution which preserved the traditions and practices of those original guilds.

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The Masonic Fraternity can date its existence back many hundreds of years. It appears to have originated sometime in the 16th Century and grown in popularity and membership throughout the 17th Century.

By the early 18th Century, Masonic Lodges in England, Ireland and Scotland had formed “Grand Lodges” to govern the fraternity in their areas.

 

The Grand Lodge of Ireland, having been formed by 1725, is the second most senior Grand Lodge in the world.

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The Masonic Fraternity had developed into a popular fraternity by the late 18th and early 19th Centuries and had spread throughout the world. In Ireland during that period, many well-known members of Irish society

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The History Of Warrant No 560

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The Warrant No 560 was first issued on 6th August 1778 to Brethren in Belturbet, Co. Cavan. Then cancelled by Grand Lodge on 2nd July 1815. It was reissued on 7th February 1839, once again to Brethren in Belturbet, Co. Cavan and cancelled on 5th July 1856.

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Reissued to 'Stormont lodge' on 8th June 1923 and the Lodge was constituted on Tuesday 3rd July 1923. Warrant returned to Grand Lodge on 20th December 2012.

 

This Warrant has now been reconstituted for ever more by our current Officers and Brethren.

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Stormont Masonic Lodge No. 560 meets in Holywood County Down and is part of the Belfast District of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Down.

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