Brethren, last night was a very enjoyable evening in Islandmagee when a large crowd of Members and Guests turned up to watch Wor Bro Paddy McDonald receive his 50 year jewel and certificate to mark 50 years of service to Freemasonry in Ireland. The Lodge opened promptly at 7.45pm with Wor Bro Geoffrey Alexander in the chair, and as the main business of the evening was Paddy’s presentation. The Provincial Grand Lodge of Antrin was represented by Wor Bro Sam Brennan, Assistant Provincial Grand Master of Antrim, and he gave a great summary of Paddy’s Masonic career to date. I was then invited to fill in a few gaps on Paddy’s involvement with The Irish Lodge of Masonic Research. I was able to advise that Paddy had been a long time member of 200 and that he had played an active part in our travels around Ireland, over many years.
Paddy has not enjoyed the best of health in recent months with several visits into and out of hospital. None the less, he was in great form last night and regaled us with some of his Masonic tales. Below, you will find a few photographs recording the evening for posterity.
Robert Bashford