HIBERNIAN LODGE No.95 CORK (IRELAND)

HIBERNIAN LODGE No.95 CORK (IRELAND)

Lodge Carron No.139 visit to the Hibernian Lodge 95. Thursday 26th February to March 1st 2026
 

On Thursday 26th February a party of 19  brethren from Lodge Carron 139 flew to Cork for a four-day trip.  The trip was arranged principally to witness Brother Gavin Richardson being installed as WM of the Hibernian Lodge 95 on Saturday 28th February. In addition, RWM James MacAulay took the opportunity to carry out an exemplification of a Scottish Master Mason degree in the temple at 27, Tuckey Street, Cork on Friday 27th February Permissions were obtained some months back.

After a day’s rest and sightseeing in Cork on the Thursday, the group prepared for this degree by attending the coffee morning at the Temple on Friday morning. During this some rehearsals were undertaken and the group familiarized themselves with the temple and how the degree would “fit”

On the evening of Friday 27th February, Lodge Carron 139 created a bit of history by conferring the Master Mason degree on one substitute candidate.  The first time that this had ever happened in this Lodge in nearly 300 years . The degree went very well and the Irish freemason’s present spoke very highly of what they had witnessed.

Then to the main event on Saturday 28th February.  The evening started with some refreshments in the Oval bar.  Then to the Lodge where we all witnessed brother Gavin Richardson being installed as WM of Lodge Hibernian 95. The WM then installed his own office bearers.  At the conclusion of the ceremony all present squared the carpet and individually saluted the WM at the East a fine end to a wonderful ceremony.

The group then went to the dining hall where a fine three course meal was followed by several speeches.  The most memorable was PM Walter Richarson addressing his son Gavin as WM and presenting him with some personal gifts. RWM James MacAulay presented WM Gavin Richarson with some fine whisky glasses and decanter all engraved.   PSPGM Alan B. Reid presented the WM with a limited edition of PGLS Whisky.  To conclude there was a collection to assist the funding of new extension of the Lodge rooms.  Then followed a free raffle with some very appropriate prizes.

The group finished their stay by having a quiet Sunday in the Leonardo hotel, their base for the trip. As we said our goodbyes on the Sunday there was nothing but pride in our hearts for a glorious week-end for freemasonry.

Those Lodge Carron 139 Brethren attending were: RWM James MacAulay, WSW Tam Meikle PM, WJW Allan Baxter, IPM George Mawhinnie, SM Alan Reid PM, PM David Duncan, PM Ian Barron, PM Walter Richardson, Secretary Kenneth MacLennan, DoC Charlie MacVicar,
SD Garry McLachlan, JD Dougie Thomson, IG Joseph Derek McMorrow, Architect Rab Paton, Piper Gavin Richardson, SS Jason Wyse, MM, Henry Hardy MM, David Hardie MM & Drew Reid MM.