Historic Homes

Masonic Hall

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The Masonic Hall is located at 25-27 Tuckey Street. This building has been the headquarters for Freemasonry in the province of Munster (Co. & City of Cork & Co. Kerry) since 1844.

This is an end of terrace, seven bay, four storey building, with a slate pitched roof. It was built c.1770, in the then recently developed Tuckey’s Street [1761] and is shown as ‘The New Assembly Rooms’  on a city map of 1771. The ground, first and mezanine floors of this building were constructed at this time: there were 3 shops on the ground floor, generating income for the maintenance of the building, while a sweeping staircase led to the Assembly Room [now the lodge room] and upward to the gallery [now a storage room]. The upper floor was available for rental by various societies and clubs, among them the First Lodge of Ireland which, in 1844, purchased the entire building for its use, and that of the quarterly general meeting of the province. In 1925, when all other city lodges came together at this premises, the top floor was added [now Royal Arch Chapter Room] to provide additional capacity. From the outside this building may seem unassuming, even austere, but behind its walls lies an interior of vast beauty and history.

In the Supper Room on the ground floor there are many display cabinets containing historic items relating to important events in the life of the Masonic Order in Cork, Ireland, and overseas, including old Masonic aprons, levels and badges dating back to the eighteenth century. One of the levels displayed there was used at the laying of the foundation stone of St Patrick’s Bridge and St Fin Barre’s Cathedral. A section of this room is devoted to the Hon. Mrs Elizabeth Aldworth (nee St Leger) who was reputedly the only female ever to be admitted to the Masonic Order. 

The Lodge Room is reached via the original 1770 staircase, which is lined with fascinating pictures depicting many important historical events in Cork City. On entering the Lodge Room it feels as if one has stepped back in time. The stalls and panelling are over 300 years old having come from the former St Fin Barre’s Cathedral (demolished 1865).

The armorial banners on the walls are the coats of arms of some of the highest ranking members in the Freemasons; those over the stalls belong to current stall holders, while those higher up towards the ceiling belonged to members now departed.

(Photo Courtesy of Masonic Hall, Cork)

The figures which surround the large mosaic are the plaster casts used in making the figures of the four Evangelists which surround the west window in St Fin Barre’s Cathedral, and examples of craftsmanship by Cork firms past and present are on display on all sides.

The Lodge room is used every month from September to May by the eight Lodges which meet in Cork City. Every Friday morning, there is a coffee morning (10.15 a.m. to 11.45 a.m.) to support various charities, at which general members of the public are most welcome. Further information and photographs may be had by consulting the provincial website, www.munsterfreemason.com

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