Enniskillen Masonic Lodges

Lodge No.220

It was in 1909 that Worshipful Bro. Folliot W. Barton redeemed the Warrant of Johnston Masonic Lodge which at that time has sat at Belleek and moved it to Pettigo where it became known as Barton Masonic Lodge. Worshipful Bro. Folliott Barton who was founder and first acting Worshipful Master was land lord of Clonelly Estate and renovated one of his estates houses at that time into what is still the Masonic Hall.

Quite a few Belleek Brethren at that time remained members even though due to the distance involved would not have been able to attend meetings very often or at all.

Membership is of course drawn from both sides of the border and from the 1940's up to the present time the average yearly membership is approximately 60.

For a short time from 1971 to 1975, due to bomb damage to the Masonic, brethren held their meetings in Ederney. Although the Hall was known as Barton Masonic Hall, it did not belong to the Lodge until Worshipful Bro. Bertram J.R. Barton, who became owner of the Clonelly Estate after the death of Folliott Barton, in his Will presented them with it on the understanding the name Barton would be maintained.

The name Barton has been to the fore since the Warrant was moved to Pettigo and remained one of the big influence in the Lodge up to the late forties.

During early installations which were well attended by the professional people and also gentry of Fermanagh, who were conveyed by their own horse drawn coaches, these coach men often had to wait to 3.00 or even 4.00 in the morning for the Festive Board to end in order to convey them home. Often during these occasions when frost occurred special frost nails had to be put in the horses shoes to prevent them slipping. The coachmen were not forgotten on these occasions and a meal and refreshments were provided in the caretakers residence, compliments of the Lodge.

Barton Masonic Lodge are justly proud of their Charity Collections and the Strong support given to the Masonic Charities.