Members the Leicestershire and Rutland Light Blue Club started 2015 off as they mean to go on when on Friday 9th January, a dozen brethren from eight different lodges in the Province (including VW Bro Peter Kinder, APGM, and W Bro Richard Jelly, ProvSGW) visited The Grand Master's Lodge in Dublin, Ireland

The Grand Master’s Lodge is one of the oldest lodges in the Irish Constitution and celebrated its 250th anniversary in 1999. The lodge initiates candidates and carries out all the routine business of a Lodge, but due to its unique history, it has a number of traditions, rights and privileges which stem from its origins in the 18th century.

Prior to the meeting, the visiting brethren were treated to a private tour of Freemasons’ Hall by the Grand Tyler of Ireland. The hall was completed in 1869 and has been the home of Irish Freemasonry ever since. Not only does it contain a number of lodge rooms, but also a specially built room for meetings of the Royal Arch, Knights Templar and Rose Croix, as well as an interesting library and museum.

Highlights included the Chapter room decorated in an Egyptian style with a trap door designed to lower individuals down into another room beneath the floor during the ceremony, an ornately designed chapel-like preceptory room complete with a stunning stained glass window, and the Prince Masons room (Rose Croix) which was adorned with beautifully crafted wooden chairs, coats of arms and banners.

The Light Blue Club were lucky enough to be visiting when the Grand Master of Ireland, Most Worshipful Douglas Grey, was attending his own Lodge for the first time in his current capacity having been Installed as Grand Master a few months earlier after previously holding the office of Deputy Grand Master.

In addition to the Grand Master being the Master of his own lodge, the Wardens, Treasurer and Secretary of the Grand Lodge of Ireland also hold their respective positions within the lodge. In the absence of these Brethren there are appointment permanent acting officers, and therefore the Installation ceremony witnessed was that for the Right Worshipful Acting Master, in this case the RW is applied to the office rather than the individual, and his officers.

The ritual was of impeccable standard and carried out superbly and in good humour by members of the Lodge, assisted by Light Blue Club attendees RW Bro Peter Kinder and W Bro Daniel Hayward who were honoured to be asked to undertake the roles of Senior Warden and Inner Guard respectively within the Inner Workings. The ceremony offered a fascinating insight into the differences between our own ritual and that practiced in Ireland, and was enjoyed by all the visitors present.

Following the Installation, the brethren had a chance to meet the Grand Master of Ireland before the Festive Board, where they once again learned about and enjoyed the differences in approach practiced by our Irish brethren. The Grand Master offered his fraternal greetings and welcomed the Light Blue Club to Dublin, whilst also being very impressed that brother Luke Smith was visiting just weeks after being initiated into the Craft.

RW Bro Peter Kinder responded to the toast on behalf of the visitors, with a speech laced with good humour and fellowship, thanking the Grand Master for the superb hospitality provided by the lodge. The festivities continued after dinner, as the Brethren of Grand Masters’ Lodge hosted the LBC until the small hours.

A truly memorable time was had by all, especially those brethren for which this had been their very first visit to any lodge at home or abroad. The question on everyone’s lips was 'Where is next?!'