Lodge Two
275th Anniversary Jewel
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Obverse of Jewel
The Jewel was commissioned in 2002 to commemorate the 275th Anniversary of Lodge Two on the 22nd May 2002.
The obverse of this Jewel depicts a gilt Past Masters Jewel with a blue border with the title of the Lodge "Lodge Two" on the top of same and the years 1727 - 2002 on the bottom. The Jewel and bar is gilt on base metal, with blue enamel surrounding the lodge title and dates. The ribbon is Saint Patrick’s blue.
The obverse of this Jewel depicts a gilt Past Masters Jewel with a blue border with the title of the Lodge "Lodge Two" on the top of same and the years 1727 - 2002 on the bottom. The Jewel and bar is gilt on base metal, with blue enamel surrounding the lodge title and dates. The ribbon is Saint Patrick’s blue.
History of Lodge "Two"
Lodge Two can make the proud boast that it is the oldest surviving Regular Lodge in the Irish Constitution, having been warranted on 22nd May, 1727.
Although the original Warrant of Lodge Two issued to the brethren on 22nd May, 1727 it is generally accepted that the Lodge pre-dates its Warrant and this would be supported by the description of the applicants in the preamble to the petition for the original warrant as "Master" and "Wardens" clearly implying that they sought a regular warrant when holding those offices in an already existing lodge.
It was probably one of the "Six Lodges of Gentlemen Freemasons" (a "Time Immemorial Lodge"), which helped to form the Grand Lodge of Ireland on St John's Day, 25th June, 1725.
the Grand Lodge Register, 22nd May 1727 shows: Present warrant dated "24th October, 1732". The original Warrant of 22nd May, 1727 appears to have been exchanged for a more carefully worded document dated 24th October, 1732 under which it still works.
Working at the "Black Lion", Winetavern Street, Dublin about 1730.
At work in "The Hercules" in St. Patrick's Street, Dublin. (Smith, 1735).
At work in "The Green Posts" in Meath Street, Dublin in 1744. (Spratt, 1744.)
Working in No. 1, Crane Lane, Dublin in 1793
Working in "Bennet's", 3 Eustace Street, Dublin from 1800.
Meeting in "The Shamrock Tavern", DUBLIN, 1816
The Brethren continued at labour very successfully for many years but it is clear from the records from 1814 - 1818 that the lodge was in trouble - the Minutes of Grand Lodge dated 5th May, 1814 state, referring to Lodge Two:
"Read a Memorial from Brs. Edw. Atkinson and others of Lodge No. 2, praying to revive that Warrant in Dublin and the remission of Dues as the Grand Lodge think proper. Ordered to be revived on payment of Dues to June next and return of Officers to the Committee of Inspection."
Although not shown in Grand Lodge minutes the warrant was restored on 9th March, 1818.
However as the Lodge had not attracted any candidates for some twelve years and many resignations in the preceding eight years had brought its fortunes to a sorry state; so low, that Grand Lodge had threatened to give its Warrant to the 2nd Regiment of Foot.
The Warrant was then cancelled on 12th July, 1818 and it was subsequently resolved in Grand Lodge on 6th August, 1818 "that No. 2 be granted to the 2nd Regiment in lieu of 244."
Although the original Warrant of Lodge Two issued to the brethren on 22nd May, 1727 it is generally accepted that the Lodge pre-dates its Warrant and this would be supported by the description of the applicants in the preamble to the petition for the original warrant as "Master" and "Wardens" clearly implying that they sought a regular warrant when holding those offices in an already existing lodge.
It was probably one of the "Six Lodges of Gentlemen Freemasons" (a "Time Immemorial Lodge"), which helped to form the Grand Lodge of Ireland on St John's Day, 25th June, 1725.
the Grand Lodge Register, 22nd May 1727 shows: Present warrant dated "24th October, 1732". The original Warrant of 22nd May, 1727 appears to have been exchanged for a more carefully worded document dated 24th October, 1732 under which it still works.
Working at the "Black Lion", Winetavern Street, Dublin about 1730.
At work in "The Hercules" in St. Patrick's Street, Dublin. (Smith, 1735).
At work in "The Green Posts" in Meath Street, Dublin in 1744. (Spratt, 1744.)
Working in No. 1, Crane Lane, Dublin in 1793
Working in "Bennet's", 3 Eustace Street, Dublin from 1800.
Meeting in "The Shamrock Tavern", DUBLIN, 1816
The Brethren continued at labour very successfully for many years but it is clear from the records from 1814 - 1818 that the lodge was in trouble - the Minutes of Grand Lodge dated 5th May, 1814 state, referring to Lodge Two:
"Read a Memorial from Brs. Edw. Atkinson and others of Lodge No. 2, praying to revive that Warrant in Dublin and the remission of Dues as the Grand Lodge think proper. Ordered to be revived on payment of Dues to June next and return of Officers to the Committee of Inspection."
Although not shown in Grand Lodge minutes the warrant was restored on 9th March, 1818.
However as the Lodge had not attracted any candidates for some twelve years and many resignations in the preceding eight years had brought its fortunes to a sorry state; so low, that Grand Lodge had threatened to give its Warrant to the 2nd Regiment of Foot.
The Warrant was then cancelled on 12th July, 1818 and it was subsequently resolved in Grand Lodge on 6th August, 1818 "that No. 2 be granted to the 2nd Regiment in lieu of 244."
I think as this time, fearing that the Warrant of Lodge Two, "the oldest surviving Regular Lodge in the Irish Constitution", would be lost to its Dublin brethren a memorial was sent to Grand Lodge and it is shown in the Minutes of Grand Lodge 3rd September, 1818 regarding Lodge Two – "Read a Memorial from several Brothers of the late Lodge No. 2, praying that said Lodge No. 2 may be restored, and that they be permitted to meet under the original Warrant, and that the Grant of Warrant No. 2 to the 2nd Regiment of Foot be rescinded. Granted; on payment of all Arrears, and that an explanation be sent to 244, Barbados if necessary."
The Grand Lodge minutes of 1st October, 1818 show – "Lodge No. 2 return Brs. John Hughes as Master, David Bell Senr., and Chas. D. Larkin, Junr. Wardens. Approved on payment of the arrears from December 1815 and one half Guinea Committee Checks to June last."
At that time John Fowler (Deputy Grand Master 1819 - 1824) and a member of the 1st Volunteer Lodge of Ireland in the Royal Independent Dublin Volunteers no. 620 (and five other members of Lodge 620) affiliated to the Lodge Two. John Fowler directed his energies towards the solution of its problems with such success that, by the end of that year, 1818, the Lodge had cleared all outstanding Grand Lodge dues and fines and the oldest surviving Regular Lodge in the Irish Constitution, had been launched on a period of progress and prosperity.
The Grand Lodge minutes of 1st October, 1818 show – "Lodge No. 2 return Brs. John Hughes as Master, David Bell Senr., and Chas. D. Larkin, Junr. Wardens. Approved on payment of the arrears from December 1815 and one half Guinea Committee Checks to June last."
At that time John Fowler (Deputy Grand Master 1819 - 1824) and a member of the 1st Volunteer Lodge of Ireland in the Royal Independent Dublin Volunteers no. 620 (and five other members of Lodge 620) affiliated to the Lodge Two. John Fowler directed his energies towards the solution of its problems with such success that, by the end of that year, 1818, the Lodge had cleared all outstanding Grand Lodge dues and fines and the oldest surviving Regular Lodge in the Irish Constitution, had been launched on a period of progress and prosperity.
In 1819 an interesting event was the decision to amalgamate with Lodge 620. The articles of agreement decided upon by the Committee included provision for interchange of membership of each Lodge without admission fee - a joint Treasurer and joint Lodge fund. Each Lodge was to continue meeting and each Lodge to be able to call emergence meetings on the regular meeting night of the other Lodge, at which officers of the other Lodge were entitled to be present at refreshment. Following upon this a large number of members of Lodge 2 affiliated with Lodge 620, and the arrangement appears to have been worked successfully for a number of years.
Bro. Isaac Butt, M.P.
A member of Lodge Two |
Isaac Butt was a leader of the Home Rule movement and died in 1879. Butt Bridge was named in his honour. The original bridge had a swivel in the middle to allow ships as far up the river as O’Connell Bridge. It was remodelled in 1932 in its present form. It is the oldest bridge in Dublin to keep its original name. |
The amalgamation of the Lodges led to some uncertainty in after years as to the ownership of some of the Lodge property that was marked with the numbers of both Lodges. A claim was made in 1891 by Lodge 2 to a silver trowel which is in possession of 620, when a Committee reported that there was a doubt as to the right of possession of a trowel and other Masonic furniture marked 2 and 620, and it was decided that Lodge 2 should have the use of such articles whenever they requested the use of same. There was never any breach in the happy relations that existed between the two Lodges, but in course of time each worked independently.
Removed to "Morrison's Tavern", Nassau Street, Dublin, 1823.
Meeting in Freemasons Hall, Dawson Street, DUBLIN, Jan. 1823.
In 1825 the Mark Master Mason degree, in its present form, was first introduced into Ireland and the British Isles by Bro. John Fowler, on the 13th December, 1825, at a meeting of members of Lodge Two (for a fuller account see "Mark Masonry ~ A History").
Removed to Freemasons Coffee House, 16, D'Olier Street, Dublin May 1829.
Removed to Freemasons Hall, Commercial Buildings, Dame Street, Dublin Jan. 1834.
Removed to Freemasons Hall, Molesworth Street, Dublin, Oct./Nov.1869.
Three members served in the 1914-18 War and Bro. Wm. H Sanderson made the supreme sacrifice.
The Lodge is traditionally known as "Lodge Two".
Removed to "Morrison's Tavern", Nassau Street, Dublin, 1823.
Meeting in Freemasons Hall, Dawson Street, DUBLIN, Jan. 1823.
In 1825 the Mark Master Mason degree, in its present form, was first introduced into Ireland and the British Isles by Bro. John Fowler, on the 13th December, 1825, at a meeting of members of Lodge Two (for a fuller account see "Mark Masonry ~ A History").
Removed to Freemasons Coffee House, 16, D'Olier Street, Dublin May 1829.
Removed to Freemasons Hall, Commercial Buildings, Dame Street, Dublin Jan. 1834.
Removed to Freemasons Hall, Molesworth Street, Dublin, Oct./Nov.1869.
Three members served in the 1914-18 War and Bro. Wm. H Sanderson made the supreme sacrifice.
The Lodge is traditionally known as "Lodge Two".
Details of when Lodge Two meets.
Lodge Two continues at Labour, being one of the most vibrant Lodges in the Dublin Metropolitan District, meeting on the 1st Mon. at 7.30 p.m. (except 6,7,8 & 9) at Freemasons' Hall, 17 Molesworth Street, Dublin 2.