The Masonic Girls School, Dublin.
The Masonic Female Orphan School of Ireland 1792-1892.
From the Book of the Centenary, pages 9-23, published 1892,
Compiled and Edited by Thomas Stuart, Lodge No. 125.
From the Book of the Centenary, pages 9-23, published 1892,
Compiled and Edited by Thomas Stuart, Lodge No. 125.
“In Faith and Hope the World will disagree,
But all Mankind’s concerned in Charity.” - Pope
But all Mankind’s concerned in Charity.” - Pope
Early Beginnings.
Naught treads so silent as the foot of Time; he lays his hand on Pyramids of brass, the poet tells us, and he certainly presses it heavily on mere bricks and mortar. In celebrating our Centenary we feel bound to give an account of our School from its foundation, but the records are so meagre that the first fifty years of its history must be limited to little more than a sketch. For England a School had been founded in London in the year 1789 by a foreign Brother of the Masonic Order, the Chevalier Ruspini, State Dentist to His Majesty George III., who opened his establishment with 30 pupils, and obtained for it from the first a liberal and ready support. In Ireland the inception of a similar movement originated with a few of the Brethren, who, in the year 1790 (following quick on the Chevalier's lead!) subscribed a few shillings each to provide schooling for the orphans of some recently-deceased members of the Craft, who had probably been their own personal friends. The young scholars were not boarded, but merely sent to a modest establishment for the acquisition of the three R.'s. This charitable effort on the part of a few soon attracted the attention of the Brethren at large, and met with such universal approbation that they rented a small house in Domville's Lane, Prussia Street, and there founded a Home, in which they undertook to provide for and educate 20 little girls, until such time as they were old enough to earn their own living. This was the nucleus of our present institution, so prosperous and beneficent, and to its memory we would reverently do honour today. But Old Time with his relentless scythe hath dealt ruthlessly with the humble domicile, leaving no trace of what has since become a widespread Charity, or even the name by which its site was known. In contemporary maps of the City of Dublin there is one lane of proportionate importance marked as leading off Prussia Street in a north-easterly direction, but in no instance is its name printed. In one especially fine map executed by John Rocque, who was Chirographer to the Prince of Wales, afterwards George III., bearing date 1756, and which is now to be seen in the National Library, Kildare Street, all the houses in Prussia Street are distinctly portrayed, each with its particular garden laid out according to the taste of its proprietor in Dutch flower beds, green sward, or wooded arbours ; and as in this elaborate production there is also but one lane marked, we may assume as conclusive that that one was Domville's, the spot in which we are so keenly interested at the present time.
There still remains extant at the same point indicated by the maps, a remnant or butt-end of a lane, extending about 60 feet from the street on the right-hand side of the way when walking from Stoneybatter, but there is no vestige of a house to be seen, and its original extent has been abruptly curtailed by the boundary wall of the Richmond Lunatic Asylum recently built on the South Circular Road. One side of this Cul-de-Sac is formed by the garden wall of No. 1 in a terrace of quaint houses in Prussia Street, while the other, on which we may suppose the now venerable first Masonic Female Orphan School to have stood, is occupied by a cattle yard and sheds.
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A gate in the wall leads to these premises, and presumably to some small dwelling in connection with them, but it is not visible from the laneway itself, and the locality is now only known as Clarke's Lane, from its recent proprietor, an ex-policeman, whose widow still resides there. In the old maps Prussia Street is marked as Cabragh Lane, and Aughrim Street as Black Horse Lane ; the former subsequently received its more ambitious title in compliment to King Frederick II. Our orphans remained at Domville's Lane for ten years, and in 1802 were removed to a house in Gordon's Lane Charlemont Street, a locality still in occupation, and although not so mysteriously interesting as Domville's Lane, yet sufficiently romantic as a lingering corner of the last century world which is so rapidly passing away. It is a thoroughfare for foot passengers only, running directly between Charlemont Street and Richmond Street; tolerably open and straight at the Richmond Street end, but at no part wide enough to admit the passage of a wheeled vehicle, and at one point where the houses stand sideways, lengthways, and cornerwise, in a wilful, eccentric manner, lending themselves to no one's convenience, not even their own, the way is not wider than ten feet. Yet Fashion came to Gordon's Lane even within this century, especially Feminine Fashion in coaches and four with black footmen in attendance, to take lessons from the Lewis family, eminent harpists and singing masters, who lived in a towering, quaint, inconvenient old house still known as The Castle. The adventures of these talented musicians are interesting but conglomerate; a legend still recited by the natives of Gordon's Lane tells how one of them, the Harper, played before the King, like David of old, but this does not agree with the architecture of The Castle, which is stated to have been built by appreciative Majesty, as its style is not of the period of either James II or George IV.
Our illustration represents the house believed to have been that occupied by our School, but as none of the old leases of the Gordon family property show the house to have been rented by the Order, we must assume it to have been held under the name of some one individual member who took a prominent part in this branch of Masonic Charity. We are indebted for much politeness and assistance in this matter to Messrs. Webb, Seymour & Scott, solicitors, of 57 Dawson Street, who are the present agents for the estate, and who in their professional knowledge assure us that it must have been under some such personal arrangement that the Brotherhood held their second School-house in Gordon's Lane.
Our illustration represents the house believed to have been that occupied by our School, but as none of the old leases of the Gordon family property show the house to have been rented by the Order, we must assume it to have been held under the name of some one individual member who took a prominent part in this branch of Masonic Charity. We are indebted for much politeness and assistance in this matter to Messrs. Webb, Seymour & Scott, solicitors, of 57 Dawson Street, who are the present agents for the estate, and who in their professional knowledge assure us that it must have been under some such personal arrangement that the Brotherhood held their second School-house in Gordon's Lane.
Various Habitations.
The School remained here for six years, after which it was moved to No. 16, Dunville Lane, Ranelagh. It is to be feared the fortunes of the orphans fluctuated a good deal, but we have no more definite particulars to relate anent their condition than a long list of their varying places of abode. After a sojourn of eight years in Dunville Lane, a move was made in 1817 to No. 4, Gloucester Place, Mecklenburgh Street, and again, in 1827, to No. 52, Jervis Street. In 1835 a fresh departure was made southward to No. 6, Hamilton Row, and again, in 1843, to No. 7, South Richmond Street (near Gordon's Lane), where many Brethren now living were among its visitors, and where it remained until, in its increased vitality, the Governors decided on building for themselves a more commodious house, likely to be a settled and altogether more desirable abode. For this purpose the comparatively modest sum of about £800 was realised from the funded resources of the School, which had hitherto yielded 3% per cent, in Bank Stock, and which was reluctantly broken into only with the fixed determination of replacing it with all possible expedition. To ensure this, a resolution was passed by the Governors that all subscriptions of £10 or upwards should be invested towards the repayment of the building expenses, and an appeal made to the Brotherhood at large on behalf of this deserving section of their charitable work met with such ready response, that the well-being of the School was placed upon a more substantial footing than it had ever before held, and resulted in the erection of the Burlington Road House, which was opened to pupils in 1852, and with which we have all of us been so long familiar.
Burlington House
From this date we may say that the prosperity of the School has been uninterrupted. During the ten years residence in Richmond Street, things had not always been well with the orphans, nor was the standard aimed at, either in their education or the prospects opened to them for their advancement in life, a high one. As a rule they were fitted only for minor commercial pursuits, and not a few went out as domestic servants, losing thereby the position they were entitled to from the social standing of their parents
Burlington House ~ For over 30 years the Home of the Masonic Female Orphan School, Ireland.
But the movement of 1852 secured for our girls not only a more comfortable Home, but together with it the advantages of an extended and improved system of management, which raised alike their present standing and their hopes of being able to secure for themselves ultimately a prosperous, creditable career in life. This successful endeavour was mainly due to the exertions of our long distinguished Grand Master, Augustus, 3rd Duke of Leinster ("The Old Duke," as he is still affectionately and most reverently called), who held that prominent position from 1813 till I874 ; the present Nestor of the Brotherhood, John Fitzhenry Townsend, LL.D., Judge of the Court of Admirality, P.D.G.M. ; and the late Rev. John M'Sorley, D.D., Rector of St. Peter's. Immediately after the opening of the new School an appeal was made to the Masonic Order throughout Ireland, asking for their sympathy and active co-operation in furthering its efforts in its now enlarged sphere ; with what success it is needless to say, the present condition of this branch of Masonic Charity speaking more plainly for itself than a mere printed statement could do.
In Burlington Road there was not only ample accommodation for the 24 girls, but during the Schools' thirty years' sojourn there the brethren had recognised the usefulness of this section of their widespread work, and came forward in a spirit of the highest appreciation of its function, and gave to it the most liberal support. From thenceforward the children were not only lodged, fed, and clothed with every attention to their comfort, but the enlargement of the School necessitating additional assistants, these positions came in a short time to be filled by elder pupils, who had been fully qualified by the instruction they had received during their scholarship to become themselves desirable supervisors of the next generation. The standard now sought by the fathers of the School was, as it should be, to provide an education, “the best that each girl could take in with a view to becoming independent,” and with what triumphant success they have attained and are maintaining this high level, hundreds of women either actively engaged in the world's fight or happily settled as good wives and mothers will enthusiastically attest to-day. Among those who profited by the advantages afforded them so as to exercise their abilities with eminent success we may mention, as known to the public, Mrs. Harte, the distinguished vocalist and teacher ; the Lady Principal of the Ladies' College at Geelong, in Australia, and the present head mistress of Pleasant's Asylum. In the earlier years at Burlington Road the average number of pupils was from 20 to 24, and there was but one teacher employed, Mr. Betts, a master in general English. But in 1855 the Grand Lodge of Ireland granted a sum of £100 annually out of its funds for the use of the School, in lieu of the fees on passing office-holders, also those received on the admission of new members, and from the issue of new warrants, all of which had been devoted hitherto to its support.
[This Medal, struck by Mossop, the famous Irish medallist and sterling Mason, represents Masonic Charity Nourishing the Children, and is believed by its owner, Bro. William Frazer, F.R.C.S.I., M.R.I.A., a distinguished authority, to have been struck in commemoration of the work of the Masonic Female Orphan School of Ireland. Gilbert, the historian of Dublin and the biographer of the great medallist, inclines to the belief that the Medal was intended to be worn by Prince Masons—a view with which the British Museum authorities coincide. Bro. Frazer has lent this valuable Masonic relique of Mossop to the Loan Collection, where visitors to the Centenary Fete may view it; and it is by his kindness that it has been presented in these pages.]
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Mossop's Masonic Medal,
Symbolical of Masonic Charity Nourishing the Children. |
This augmentation, especially as it was a definite sum, was the means of enlarging both trie educational scheme and its practical working. Music and French were added to the sound, practical instruction in English already imparted to the pupils, whereby those whose abilities enabled them to acquire such accomplishments benefited by an opportunity of qualifying themselves as governesses; and Mr. Betts' services were now replaced by a resident mistress, Miss Cuthbert, assisted by a visiting teacher, Miss Lloyd. Children were admitted as scholars between 6 and 10 years of age, and every girl as soon as she reached 15 was called upon to render her service in the domestic duties of the house. An assistant matron was always chosen, when required, from the finished pupils of the school, and many obtained similar situations, or became teachers, in other public institutions. One girl, Jane Connelly, who went to Australia in a capacity of trust with a private family, in two years sent home a subscription of £5 towards the funds of the School where so much had been done for her, and continued to send an annual subscription of £1. Many readers may remember Mrs. Noble, who was then and for a number of years afterwards the efficient matron of the School. She was a woman of high character, motherly instincts, and considerable administrative power, and the Governors, who at all times held her in high estimation, paid on more than one occasion a united tribute to her great economy, for which they felt the management of their Home to be largely indebted. Mrs. Noble retired in 1872, after twenty years' service, on a liberal pension granted to her by the Governors. There are several names deservedly held in esteem among those who actively took part in the administration at Burlington House. Among them we would recall those of Brother Edmond Digges Latouche, the honorary secretary, with his able assistant, Brother Samuel B. Oldham; Brother Underwood, who was for many years printer to the R.W. The Grand Lodge of Ireland; Brother W. S. Tracey, who, living in Belfast, brought forward the claims of the Charity throughout the North of Ireland ; and, last but not least, Brother Robert D. Speedy, M.D., who for fifteen years gave his valuable services gratuitously as medical attendant to the School, and whose amiable, kindly custom it was to visit the children every Sunday after church in order to carve their early dinner for them. During the term of this skilful physician's almost paternal supervision not one death occurred in the School, nor did any serious outbreak of contagious disease visit his flock, only one isolated case of scarlatina being reported, and that having been successfully overcome by the patient being at once removed to hospital.
In 1860 the School was enlarged to admit an increased number, amounting eventually to 40 girls. Its fame having become widespread both for educational excellence and as providing substantial help to the fatherless, the increasing interest in its endeavours manifested by members of country Lodges, and their desire to participate in the privileges of its beneficent objects, rendered it necessary to alter in some respects the rules of its Board. A new code was framed therefore, in which two important items were included, one enabling Governors to vote upon the elections according to their subscriptions, and the other dispensing With their personal attendance on such occasions. Then, as now, a sum of £10 constituted the donor a Life Governor, and a yearly subscription of £1 admitted the subscriber to vote as an annual Governor, while the wives, daughters, or sisters of such benefactors were entitled to visit the School, and offer such suggestions for its improvement as occurred to them, their ideas being written in a book kept for the purpose, and which was submitted to the Board at their monthly meetings.
In 1860 the School was enlarged to admit an increased number, amounting eventually to 40 girls. Its fame having become widespread both for educational excellence and as providing substantial help to the fatherless, the increasing interest in its endeavours manifested by members of country Lodges, and their desire to participate in the privileges of its beneficent objects, rendered it necessary to alter in some respects the rules of its Board. A new code was framed therefore, in which two important items were included, one enabling Governors to vote upon the elections according to their subscriptions, and the other dispensing With their personal attendance on such occasions. Then, as now, a sum of £10 constituted the donor a Life Governor, and a yearly subscription of £1 admitted the subscriber to vote as an annual Governor, while the wives, daughters, or sisters of such benefactors were entitled to visit the School, and offer such suggestions for its improvement as occurred to them, their ideas being written in a book kept for the purpose, and which was submitted to the Board at their monthly meetings.
A sum of £900 had to be realised from the funded property of the Institution to build and furnish the new wing so much desired for the accommodation of additional pupils, also to re-paint the existing house along with its enlargement; but happily, owing to the rapidly increasing yearly subscriptions, and the good will so universally entertained to the Charity in general, this loan was replaced in less than three years. The full number of pupils which the School could now accommodate were not received for some years to come, the first increase being from 26 to 34, then, as the expenses incurred were gradually paid off, 37 were admitted in 1867, and ultimately in 1870 the full number, 40. Throughout the 1860's good work was done in the School, and its interests were carried everywhere by the widespread influence of Masonry. |
Bro. Graves S. Eves,
Hon. Secretary of the Masonic Female Orphans School, Dublin. [The girl on the left is wearing the uniform of a 'Masonic Orphan' of 1792, the girl on the right, of 1892.] |
It may be stated here that as the interest in the School increased all parts of the country benefited by it, no preference being given to candidates in the immediate vicinity of the Institution and its executive committees, to prove which it may be w-ell to state that in 1861 the proportions stood as follows among the pupils :—Nine orphans of brethren belonging to Dublin Lodges, three of military brethren, and 22 of members of country Lodges; while in 1862 there were 12 from Dublin Lodges, and 22 representing members of military and country Lodges unitedly, and so on through successive years in similar proportion.
In 1863 the first large gathering at the annual distribution of prizes was held in the Round Room, Rotunda, from which time forward that celebration became not only the most popular gathering of the Dublin public, but an important source of revenue towards the current expenses of the School. 1868 was a thriving year for the Institution, and one during which the good seed sown since the establishment of Burlington House bore excellent fruit. [The print to the right is of the Annual Prizegiving, at The Ancient Concert Rooms, Great Brunswick Street, attended by the Duke of Leinster, in 1860. Picture added by Irish Masonic History] |
The old fundamental principle of training the girls to perform all domestic duties consistent with their age and strength, and to make as well as mend their own clothes, had been maintained throughout, but now the personal advantages offered to them through a superior class of education resulted in their attaining positions far in advance of the humble callings to which the pupils of former days were inducted on leaving the School. Many were received at home by their relations who were in a position to maintain them; a few obtained eligible situations, on entering which the apprentice fees were paid and an outfit provided for them; while others, whose abilities qualified them for such avocations, readily found employment as governesses in Continental schools, especially in Switzerland and Germany, and in English institutions where some of them ultimately held prominent responsible posts.
In the year 1870 there was a strong manifestation of public interest exhibited toward the School, and an increased demand made upon its exertions in providing so beneficently as it had hitherto done for orphan girls, so that the Governors, considering the great influence of the Order, and the liberality with which the brethren had of late years supported the Institution, felt themselves justified in again extending their premises so as to accommodate a still larger number of pupils than they had ever aimed at before. A public ball was held in the Exhibition Building, which yielded £500 to the funds, which were further augmented during the same year by a legacy of £200 from the late Bro. Joseph Brown, of Newtownards. But, unfortunately, in carrying out their good intentions the Governors found that certain difficulties stood in their way, and it was not until five years later that the very material assistance of their Home could be extended to nine extra candidates, which, even with the places vacated by four out-going pupils, still found the house so crowded that it was only by turning one of the class rooms into a dormitory, and erecting a temporary dining-room in the rere of the house, that this small extension of the Charity could be attained. In 1873 a small plot of ground on the north side of the schoolhouse became available for building purposes, but it was a matter for much consideration whether, in the event of an emphatically larger School being required, it would not be desirable to obtain a site among "fresh fields and pastures new," rather than to make such substantial extensions in the locality of the then existing abode, it being subject to some disadvantages of the town, and liable to be built in on all sides in the course of time. Much deliberation was given by the Governors to this subject, and much argument was spent upon it by the brethren at large, with the result, eventually, that Bros, the late Charles Capel MacNamara, LL.D., Registrar to the Court of Admiralty; Joseph A. Galbraith, F.T.C.D., Thomas Fitzgerald and others, came, individually and collectively, forward as active supporters of what may be called the advance movement in support of the proposition of an entirely new School, built on a new site, and of sufficiently commodious proportions to admit of an unrivalled system of management, and an extension of the Charity to not less than eighty children, the orphans of Brethren of the Masonic Order.
A "Slideshow" of two prints and one photograph of the Masonic Bazaar and Fancy Fair, held in aid of the Masonic Female Orphan School in 1882 ~ Note the stall of "Ye Province of Wicklow and Wexford".
During 1878 and 1879 the demands made upon the School had increased so far beyond its possible resources of accommodation that an entirely new building had become a necessity if these demands were to be met at all. That this proposal was not only justifiable but perfectly practicable is sufficiently evident. The brethren had for thirty years past maintained their School with such munificence, that its pecuniary condition had become one of affluence. Nevertheless, a suggestion that, £5,000 should be withdrawn from its invested capital wherewith to substantially back all private subscriptions towards the new effort, was strongly opposed, especially by some of the oldest and hitherto most active supporters of the Institution, who wisely objected to any diminution of its secured resources at a time when its field of usefulness was about to be greatly extended. A resolution was therefore carried, that an appeal should be made to the brethren at large, asking them to unite in providing funds for the fresh departure in this already thriving branch of their great work. With what triumphant success this appeal was met needs no comment in words now, the personal liberality of individual brethren, and the Union which giveth strength to the Order having been manifested ten years ago. In 1879, therefore, the building committee, represented by Bros. MacNamara, Fitzgerald, and Bolton, took out a lease of 9 acres of land at Ball's Bridge, at a rent of £108 per annum, and in 1880 signed a builder's contract for ,£8,800.
The occasion of the laying of the foundation stone of the present school will be remembered by many. The Most Worshipful The Grand Master (the late Duke of Abercorn) performed the ceremony in ancient form, assisted by Earl Cowper, who was then Viceroy of Ireland, and thousands of interested spectators assembled at Ball's Bridge to witness the rite. Within two years the building was practically completed, and during the time of its erection the committee had continued to receive such willing and ready support, that no impediment arose to the immediate occupation of the School by the pupils, who entered their new home after the midsummer vacation, 1882. The amount subscribed by the brethren in hard cash was no less than, £12,508, the augmentation from outside standing at the mild figure of £300, and thus was realized the almost ideal aim of a small coterie of large-hearted, charitable men, who in their endeavour called forth an unparallelled manifestation of the strong bond of Union, and the widespread influence of Freemasonry in Ireland.
The New Masonic Female Orphan School, Ballsbridge, Dublin, completed in 1882. [see footnote]
The New School at Ball's Bridge was the recipient of several sums which were added to its funds as memorials of certain worthy brethren who had passed away ere its completion, besides numerous valuable gifts for its adornment and practical use. Of the nett profits of the marvellous Bazaar, held in 1882, amounting to, £6,601, a sum of, £2,000 was expended on the internal fitting and furnishing of the building, and in laying out the serviceable kitchen garden, and children's recreation grounds, while the residue was invested to meet the rent, taxes, insurance, and such incidental repairs as should prove necessary in the course of time. This left the School a free home, with its previous sources of income intact, as had been desired by its oldest and staunchest supporters, as well as some eminent advisers among the younger blood, now added to its renewed life. As recently as 1890 the Governors bought up the rent from the Earl of Pembroke, so that the School is now rent free, and as, after the purchase, there was still a sum of ,£1,900 left over from the Bazaar fund, it was re-invested so as to yield a sufficient yearly sum to defray the remaining expenses of taxes, insurance, and incidental repairs.
The establishment is, in its arrangements, a model of perfection unrivalled among similar public institutions, and its system of education is a liberal one, conducted upon the most advanced modern principles. Its pupils are disseminated over the four quarters of the globe, many of them occupying positions of eminence and trust ; and in no instance has the subsequent career of any girl educated within its walls proved unworthy of the generous provision made by the brotherhood for their orphans. The letters received by the present Matron and Teachers from Old Girls testify in a spontaneously grateful spirit to the affectionate remembrance they retain for the home of their childhood ; where they were so carefully sheltered from the trials and temptations of life, and so ably assisted to maintain a creditable position for themselves. The scholars of the present day enjoy a freedom, and present a happy, healthy appearance not always met with even in the private schools of former days, and their personal comforts are secured in a manner which might open suggestions to many more pretentious establishments ; yet the accurately computed expenditure per head, amounts to the moderate sum of£25 per annum.
The establishment is, in its arrangements, a model of perfection unrivalled among similar public institutions, and its system of education is a liberal one, conducted upon the most advanced modern principles. Its pupils are disseminated over the four quarters of the globe, many of them occupying positions of eminence and trust ; and in no instance has the subsequent career of any girl educated within its walls proved unworthy of the generous provision made by the brotherhood for their orphans. The letters received by the present Matron and Teachers from Old Girls testify in a spontaneously grateful spirit to the affectionate remembrance they retain for the home of their childhood ; where they were so carefully sheltered from the trials and temptations of life, and so ably assisted to maintain a creditable position for themselves. The scholars of the present day enjoy a freedom, and present a happy, healthy appearance not always met with even in the private schools of former days, and their personal comforts are secured in a manner which might open suggestions to many more pretentious establishments ; yet the accurately computed expenditure per head, amounts to the moderate sum of£25 per annum.
A "Slideshow" of a series of photographs some taken in 1892 and the remainder thereabouts.
During the early years of the school's existence when it merely existed, and enjoyed no such full life as it does now, the annual cost of each pupil did not exceed £11; but its function has been widened since then, the cost of living has increased, and, above all, the standard to be attained by women is now required to be so much more an elevated one, that an increased expenditure is in every way demanded.
By the achievement of an almost Eutopian School programme for our girls, we have reached the apex of what can be done for their bodily comfort and happiness during childhood, and it only remains for us, in celebrating our Centenary, to create an embodiment of the desire to do something more towards securing their well-being during early womanhood. The School itself is now so perfect as to need no addition, unless that of an Infirmary, and even that want is provided for by the Dr. Robert Speedy Memorial Fund. We have good cause to be thankful to Him who guards the fatherless, that sickness has been so markedly averted from our Home, and that death has visited it so seldom; yet, numbering as we do 80 children within its walls, epidemic diseases and the many infectious disorders common to children should be guarded against, and it is to be remembered that by far the greater number of the pupils do not belong to Dublin families who could speedily remove them, from the School in case of sickness.
The Governors, Teachers and Pupils of the Masonic Female Orphan School.
Group Photographed on 'Governors Breakfast Morning', 12th April, 1892.
Group Photographed on 'Governors Breakfast Morning', 12th April, 1892.
At the present day, as in the time of the School's early history, its benefits are extended to the orphans of brethren throughout the length and breadth of Ireland: many come from the Northern Province, and at one time, over twenty years ago, the whole of the Cork Masonic School was transferred to Burlington House. With this transfer the brethren in that earliest home of Irish Masonry gave a sum of £300 towards the School Fund, which included bequests of £100 each from Brothers Francis Allen and Colonel Tenlon. The Province of Munster is also contributing generously and actively towards the success of the Centenary Celebration, and its brethren are well in the van of the movement for providing a fund for the further assistance of such of the orphan girls as require it after leaving the School. Since the cultivation of a higher education for women, the qualifications which are necessary to those who seek employment in first-class educational establishments, are such as are only to be acquired after the foundation of a sound English education has been laid - in fact, what used to be called in days anterior to our advanced system EXTRAS.
[Medal Commemorating The Opening Of The New Building Of The Female Masonic Orphan School Dublin In 1882. The Foundation Stone of the School was laid by the Duke of Abercorn. Reverse- Foundation Stone of New School Opened on St. John's Day 1880 by his Grace the Duke of Abercorn K.G. M.W. Grand Master Around the rim- School Founded 1792 New Building Merrion Road opened 1882. Bronze. 40mm] [There was actually no Official Opening in 1892 due to the ill-health of the Grand Master, the Duke of Abercorn.] |
Many of our girls show great ability in these higher branches, and for these we wish to secure a term of advanced study either in Continental Seminaries for the cultivation of modern languages, or at the Conservatoires in pursuit of the musical profession. Others display no taste for the higher mental attainments, but a provision has to be made for them in the less exalted walks of life, and they also require some assistance until suitable situations are procured for them. To each and all the governors desire to extend their protection between the age of 16 and 18 years ; that time when a woman is either made or marred; when the child is no more, and the emancipation from school life, however light the discipline may have been, calls forth so much that is wayward in young humanity. The brethren have at all times so munificently, so consistently, and so successfully supported their school that they need no incentive to join in any supplemental movement suggested in connection with it. All who have daughters feel the necessity of securing for them some future settlement, while those who have none know what were their own difficulties in setting out on life's path: in this we are prompted to draw a reminder from old Scaliger, who tells us that "A spacious walk it hath beset with thorns not lightly to be passed over!" And a yet greater philosopher has taught us, in the words of his Cynic "Timon," that charity does not end in giving, for
" 'Tis not enough to help the feeble up,
But to support them after."
But to support them after."
Footnote [added by Irish Masonic History]
The Masonic Female Orphans School, as it was originally known, now known as Bewley's Hotel, is situated on the corner of Merrion Road and Simmonscourt Road in Dublin’s exclusive area of Ballsbridge.
The foundation stone was laid by the Duke of Abercorn on St John’s Day, 25th June, 1880 "in the presence of a fashionable and extremely large assemblage.’’ Two years after this foundation stone was laid, the construction of the new Masonic School was completed.
The M.F.O.S. was built by Messrs. Gahan and son according to the architectural plans of Messrs. McCurdy Mitchell. The work of Messrs. McCurdy and Mitchell is also linked to the construction carried out on the Shelbourne Hotel, Dublin, Trinity College, Dublin and the Zoological Gardens in Dublin’s Phoenix Park.
Set on a site of nearly ten acres, the new School, which included a library, dormitories, schoolrooms, recreation and dining areas, boasted some of the most advanced building and engineering techniques of the day. The school formed two sides of a quadrangle, and was entered beneath a tower at the corner. This tower was not merely ornamental but also contained all the works connected with the water supply of both the building and the bathrooms.
Inside, the rooms were airy and bright and the dormitories, with their adjoining lavatories, were cheerful, despite the military style order, cleanliness and sparsity. The dining hall was also functional but comfortable, heated by slow combustion stoves, as was the entrance hall. The kitchens were furnished with the most up-to-date appliances and the laundry area was positioned so as to be convenient but not intrusive. Recreational and exercise facilities for the orphans were also to the highest standard.
As far as was possible, the fittings and furniture for the school were manufactured and bought in Ireland. Built at a cost of £14,986.47 the new school would remain the home of the Charity for the next 90 years.
The beautiful terracotta fountain which stands in front of the main building was bequeathed to the school by a Mr Sawyer who was not a member of the Masonic Order. The hall to the left of the main building was built ten years after the construction of the school was completed and was used as an assembly hall for prayers and meetings.
The Masonic Female Orphans School, as it was originally known, now known as Bewley's Hotel, is situated on the corner of Merrion Road and Simmonscourt Road in Dublin’s exclusive area of Ballsbridge.
The foundation stone was laid by the Duke of Abercorn on St John’s Day, 25th June, 1880 "in the presence of a fashionable and extremely large assemblage.’’ Two years after this foundation stone was laid, the construction of the new Masonic School was completed.
The M.F.O.S. was built by Messrs. Gahan and son according to the architectural plans of Messrs. McCurdy Mitchell. The work of Messrs. McCurdy and Mitchell is also linked to the construction carried out on the Shelbourne Hotel, Dublin, Trinity College, Dublin and the Zoological Gardens in Dublin’s Phoenix Park.
Set on a site of nearly ten acres, the new School, which included a library, dormitories, schoolrooms, recreation and dining areas, boasted some of the most advanced building and engineering techniques of the day. The school formed two sides of a quadrangle, and was entered beneath a tower at the corner. This tower was not merely ornamental but also contained all the works connected with the water supply of both the building and the bathrooms.
Inside, the rooms were airy and bright and the dormitories, with their adjoining lavatories, were cheerful, despite the military style order, cleanliness and sparsity. The dining hall was also functional but comfortable, heated by slow combustion stoves, as was the entrance hall. The kitchens were furnished with the most up-to-date appliances and the laundry area was positioned so as to be convenient but not intrusive. Recreational and exercise facilities for the orphans were also to the highest standard.
As far as was possible, the fittings and furniture for the school were manufactured and bought in Ireland. Built at a cost of £14,986.47 the new school would remain the home of the Charity for the next 90 years.
The beautiful terracotta fountain which stands in front of the main building was bequeathed to the school by a Mr Sawyer who was not a member of the Masonic Order. The hall to the left of the main building was built ten years after the construction of the school was completed and was used as an assembly hall for prayers and meetings.