Enniskillen Masonic Lodges

Lodge 277

The Warrant is displayed at the Home Headquarters, Royal Dragoon Guards, The Castle Chester. There is also unconfirmed report that the Warrant was captured by the French during the Peninsular War, and the French also having a Lodge, returned the Warrant to the English Constitution where it found its way back to the Regiment.

Lodge No.277 was dedicated in Irvinestown on the 24th January, 1910 with the following officers being installed:- Bro. John Perry W.M., John Armstrong S.W., Thos. Aiken J.W., T.S.McMaster S.D., J.W.McNeill J.D., E.Johnston Treasurer, and W.Quinn Secretary. The Lodge Sat upstairs in Castle Irvine school and at the February meeting it was decided that the W.M. interview Major D'Arcy Irvine and "arrange as to an agreement for the rooms." A dinner was held following the dedication meeting at a charge of five shillings  (£0.25) and dues at the time were paid monthly - one shilling (5pence) per month.

In 1912 a Masonic Concert was organised and on the 10th August a Masonic Service was held at which Rev. Cannon MacManaway was the Preacher. At a meeting held on the 15th October, 1914it was recorded that Bro. Arthur Quinn had volunteered for military service and it was agreed that he should not loose his seniority in the Lodge owing to absence. Bro. Sgt. A. Quinn home on leave from France was welcomed by the Brethren at the April meeting 1917. In 1916 two subscriptions by the Lodge are minuted - the sum of five pounds to the Funds of the British Red Cross Society and also five pounds to Bro. Flack treasurer of the U.V.F. Patriotic Fund. Bro. Ferguson (Lodge 52 Londonderry) installed electric light in the Lodge room 1921.

A Lodge Building Committee was formed and directed " to keep a look out for a site for a new hall." Castle Irvine School was handed over to the Regional Education Committee (1933) and regulations required the ceilings of the classrooms to be raised. The Lodge therefore agreed to use the Junior Classroom at a rent of £1.00 per annum. Purchase of Erne Villa was considered in 1938 but opinions varied and the Lodge decided not to proceed. At a meeting held on 18th June 1953 the Building Committee reported "that the time was opportune to proceed with the building of the Masonic Hall." Bro. J.E.Wilson drew plans with instructions not to exceed £3000 and on the 4th November, 1954 the Temple was dedicated in accordance with the ancient forms and usages of the craft. Members contributed £10 each to the building fund and the furniture was presented by individual members. W.Bro. R.A.Bonner, secretary at the time, through his energy and enthusiasm was largely responsible for the success of the building project. In recent years W.Bro.R.R.Hall on a voluntary basis carried out internal decoration of the Lodge room notably the wall panelling and the arch on the dais. Lodge 819 Ederney and the R.A. Chapter were welcomed to share the Masonic Hall facilities in 1987 and with their generous financial contributions the Temple has been greatly enhanced with the laying of carpet tiles in 1989.

The minutes of the early forties reflect the impact of the war. December 1940 - it was decided that members of the Local Defence Volunteers Force should get attendance on an apology written or otherwise. February 1943 - W.Bro. Flack conveyed the pleasure felt by the Brethren of the Lodge at the good news received of Bro. Hazard's son reported missing and now reported a prisoner of war. March 1943 - the W.M. expressed his pleasure at seeing so many members from the Forces present. September 1943 - "the name of Sgt. Daniel Muir Donald R.A.F. Castle Archdale was placed on the books."

At the meeting on the 17th June, 1948, V.W.Bro. Jack Campbell gave an account of the visit of inspection by members of the Lodge to our schools in Dublin on the 3rd June and also the visit to Molesworth Street Hall that same day. He was certain that the Brethren had been struck by the happy and healthy appearance of the pupils of both schools and in this respect he thought the Girls School was outstanding. Having found the road to Dublin, a class including V.W.Bro. Campbell, Bro. D.Seargeant and Bro. E.A.Aiken from Lodge 277 exemplified the Entered Apprentice Degree in Molesworth Street. The R.W. Provincial Grand Master visited the Lodge and advised the Brethren going to Dublin to "Be on and keep on your toes."

Minutes record that festive boards were held in a variety of venues - Emery's Royal Hotel, Lough Erne Hotel (Killadeas), the Orange Hall, the Manor House, and more recently the Lough Erne Hotel (Kesh). Senior Brethren have happy memories of festive boards held in the Orange Hall when Mrs Clements organised the Members' wives and daughters to provide excellent fare which was enjoyed by all. During the early seventies an annual Ladies Night which is held in the Manor House. Today we join with other local Lodges for the Ladies Night which is held around St. Patrick's day.

Membership reached a peak (105) in the mid 1970's but over the past decade membership has fallen to 89at the last return. Some of our longest serving members are W.Bro S.Allen Short who latterly is known in Masonry in Coleraine and England and W.Bro S.R.Elliott longest serving member of the Lodge.

In the life of every Lodge certain individual members stand out for their contribution to the working and success of the Craft. On the 19th February, 1931, Irvine Francis Keys was initiated in Lodge 277 and as most Brethren will remember he had a tremendous interest in masonry, having himself attended Masonic Boys School. W.Bro. Irvine never forgot his debt to the Masonic order and he enjoyed nothing more than his membership of Lodges 277 and 819 and other branches of Masonry. He served as Director of Ceremonies of 277 from 1960 to 1982.

On the 17th June, 1948, Robert John Lee was initiated and he has over the years made an outstanding contribution to masonry. We are delighted that V.W.Bro. Lee was Provincial Grand Lodge Senior Warden (1990). There are few Masons in 277 and 819 who have not had the privilege of receiving a degree from V.W.Bro.Lee whose knowledge of Masonic ritual and instruction is renowned. Our longest serving secretaries were W.Bros. James W. McNeill(1916 - 28), Robert A.Bonner(1944 - 47, 52-60, 62-63) and Derek Armstrong (1968 - 81).

In June 1985 a 75th Anniversary Service was held in Derryvullan North Parish Church and Rt. Rev. R.W.Heavener a past member of the Lodge was the guest preacher. Lodge 277 is fortunate to have so many past members who attend regularly and with able younger master masons approaching the East the Lodge looks forward to continued prosperity in the future.