Irish National Foresters, Ballyholland – Branch Fr. John Rooney No.

407 and Branch St. Ita No. 409

Joan McAteer and Paddy McKevitt

The history of the Foresters dates back to feudal times when serfs and peasants met in secret. Their lives and those of their families were at the mercy of the landlords who, on a whim, could and did evict these people from their homes. As a consequence, a self help and benevolent society was formed by the poor for the poor and so was born the Ancient Order of Foresters which has now spread throughout the world embracing many nationalities.

The Irish National Foresters seceded from the Ancient Order of Foresters in 1870 and today, where there are communities of Irish people or people of Irish descent, you will, more often than not, find a branch of the Irish National Foresters. The Foresters in this country have continued to flourish in the intervening years.

While the secession was final, the rules and regulations were transferred from the ancient order. The Irish National Foresters adopted the motto of Unity, Nationality and Benevolence, and they have upheld those very laudable aims since their formation.

still maintain that system of providing support and assistance to those in need.

The office bearers of the Branches of the Irish National Foresters have titles such as Chief Ranger, Sub Chief Ranger and Senior and Junior Beadles and Woodwards. The Beadles traditionally looked after the ‘door’ of the hall and the Woodwards issued quarterly notices for payment of dues. Individual members are known as ‘Brothers’ and ‘Sisters’.

A branch of the Irish National Foresters was formed in Ballyholland, near Newry, in 1901. It was unique in that it was named after Father John Rooney, while he was still alive, a popular parish priest who ministered in Newry at that time. Around 70 members were initiated, and a hall was built in 1904 which was used until it was accidentally burnt down in 1940. A temporary hall was erected, with a new hall not being opened until 1960.

In 1945 a ladies’ branch was formed which took the name ‘St. Ita’ and was registered under the Friendly Societies Act of 1896.

The Foresters meet every Monday night and hold a Mass every three years at Father Rooney’s grave at Hilltown. During the first weekend in June they attend a Mass at the Ballyholland Mass Rock, a place of worship the Ballyholland Foresters help maintain.

In acknowledging that the advent of the Welfare State reduced the pressure on the work of the Foresters, particularly in this part of Ireland, they

Newtownhamilton Loyal Orange District (LOL) No. 9 William Copeland

The District currently comprises ten private Lodges, including LOL 106 Ballymoyer Synotts True Blue, LOL 117 Newtownhamilton

Whitewater Temperance, LOL 630B Tullyvallen

Guiding Star, LOL 1157 Knockavannon and LOL 1158 Knocknanin (County Monaghan). Also active in the area are a Junior Lodge and a Ladies Lodge. In the past, there were a further seven working Orange Lodges in the District in localities such as Cloghue near Cullyhanna, Osier Hill and Camlymacullough, but these lodges no longer meet.

From the officers of the private lodges are elected the officers of the District Lodge, both these elections take place on an annual basis. The District reports to, and attends meetings of County Armagh Grand Lodge, which in turn reports to, and attends quarterly meetings of The Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland.

Traditionally, the District was described as having a “Goodly Heritage”, being able to trace its origins back to the Battle of the Diamond which occurred on the 21st September 1795 when the private lodge warrant LOL 117 was granted by James Sloan. Newtownhamilton District was granted District Warrant No. 9 in 1814 by County Armagh Grand Lodge and the first recorded District Master was John Simpson, when he signed a proclamation on 5th June 1820.

The ethos and principles of the Orange Institution in Newtownhamilton, as in all other Districts, is based on Biblical teachings; Loyalty to the Crown, Upholding the Law of the Land and Charitable Words and Actions. One recorded example of the behaviour of true Orangemen was during a night of severe social and political strife in a certain town, four Orangemen leaving an Orange Order meeting accompanied an elderly Priest to his home which was a mile out of town.

The District Lodge and all members, pride themselves on their social standing in the area, publicly parading to their annual church services, displaying their banners and regalia, but also in the public use of their halls. Many halls have been renovated and brought up to modern day standards and expectations and are used extensively for public and social events. These activities range from dancing, keep fit, computer lessons, flower arranging, jewellery making and photography to talks on farm and home safety.

A lot of charity work and fundraising is conducted throughout the District, ranging from the Special Needs School at Cootehill, County Cavan, cancer support charities, orphans throughout Ireland, Southern Area Hospice to overseas work such as the Momoko Hospital project in Uganda.

The County Armagh Twelfth Demonstration is planned for Newtownhamilton in 2013 and we pray for God’s Blessing upon all, as the District goes from strength to strength.

St. Patrick’s Masonic Lodge, No. 77, Newry The Early Years

Compiled by Alexander Hanna, and based on the research and publications of Francis Crossle (1847 - 1910)

A warrant was issued by the Grand Lodge of Ireland dated 27th December 1737 and numbered 77, to William Ponder, James Hollyman and John Ard, to hold a Lodge in the town of Newry.

Historic details of Lodge No. 77 during its first 70 years are scant in the extreme as the earliest extant minute book commences on 24th June 1806.

The years 1775 to 1806 are the most puzzling period in the history of Lodge 77. The Grand Lodge Register shows a steady increase of membership until we come to the name of Cornelius Burns, registered 26th March 1775. There were no further registrations until John Clarke, Daniel Turley, Matthew Griffith, Thomas Goodin and John Hanigan, who were all registered on 23rd October 1806. Dr Francis Crossle in his “Sketch of the History of St. Patrick’s Masonic Lodge No.77, Newry” published in 1895 could only state that during this period of 31 years the Lodge had suspended its labours. Further research has shown, however, that the Warrant was never cancelled or returned to Grand Lodge.

During the period 1806 - 1810 Freemasonry in Newry was flourishing, with Lodge 77 admitting no fewer than ninety-six new members of whom forty-nine were registered in Grand Lodge.

Membership, however, fell rapidly throughout Freemasonry in the period up to 1824. The Catholic Church debarred members of that faith from becoming Freemasons which affected over half the membership of Lodge 77. Also, from May 1823 to November 1824 all meetings of Grand Lodge were suspended in consequence of an Act for the suppression of certain societies in Ireland. Many members fell away during this time who did not afterwards return. By the end of 1824 there were only fourteen subscribing members on the roll of Lodge 77.

The Lodge continued to meet, but membership struggled from 1827 to 1850 with an average of 8 members on the roll. New members were initiated regularly during this period but withdrew quickly, possibly due to the high rates of emigration at that time.

The Lodge however became reinvigorated from 1850 onwards with the installation of William Sutherland Fraser Murray as Master and many new members being registered with Grand Lodge.

1887 was a very important year for Lodge 77 as on 27th December it celebrated 150 years in existence. A special communication of the Lodge was held in celebration of the eminent Freemason Bro. Francis Clements Crossle who was installed as Worshipful Master. At this meeting Bro. Crossle gave an eloquent historical address on the rise and progress of Lodge 77.

Under the original Warrant, Lodge 77 has continued to meet to the present day and it is the oldest Lodge in Ulster and the sixth oldest in Ireland, having celebrated 275 years of continuous working on 27th December 2012.

Courtesy

This stone came from the front wall of a house which stood in Lower North Street, Newry, formerly known as ‘Dirty Lane’. According to Francis Crossle this house was the original meeting place of Lodge 77. The stone bears Masonic symbols and is now located in the Masonic Hall in Downshire Road, Newry.