Our History

Craigantlet Lodge of Friendship No. 486 traces its origins to a historic Warrant with a rich and varied history spanning more than 250 years.

The Early History of Warrant No. 486

Warrant No. 486 was first issued on 6 December 1770 to Brethren meeting in Minola (Manulla), Castlebar, County Mayo. The Warrant remained there until it was cancelled on 14 June 1792.

The Warrant was subsequently re-issued on 2 February 1809 to Brethren in Ballyjamesduff, County Cavan, where it remained in operation until being cancelled on 7 February 1833.

The Founding of Craigantlet Lodge

The modern story of Craigantlet Lodge of Friendship No. 486 began in 1920.

The Minutes of the Grand Lodge Board of General Purposes, dated June 1920, record a memorial from local Brethren seeking permission to establish a new Lodge in Crawfordsburn, County Down, to be known as “Craigantlet”:

“Read Memorial from various Brethren praying for a warrant to establish a Lodge in Crawfordsburn in the County of Down to be called the Craigantlet. — Recommended.”

This recommendation was subsequently approved by Grand Lodge on 3 June 1920, being formally recorded as:

“Confirmed.”

On 7 June 1920, Warrant No. 486 was officially re-issued to:

Samuel McCready
Frederick Page
William Graham

for the establishment of Craigantlet Friendship Lodge in Crawfordsburn, Helen’s Bay, County Down.

The Grand Lodge Registers record:

“Warrant No. 486 to Crawfordsburn, Co. Down as ‘Craigantlet Friendship Lodge’, 7 June 1920…”

The founding officers were joined by eleven additional Brethren from various Lodges, and by 28 February 1924, a total of 61 Brethren had registered with the Lodge.

Constitution of the Lodge – August 1920

An Occasional Meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Down took place at Dufferin Hall, Bangor on 4 August 1920 for the purpose of constituting the new Lodge.

The Provincial Grand Master, R.W. Bro. Dr. J.D. Williamson, together with Provincial Grand Officers, formally constituted:

Craigantlet Masonic Lodge of Friendship No. 486

The Provincial records state:

“The Ceremony of Constitution of the new Lodge was then proceeded with and carried out by the Grand Master and Prov. Grand Lodge Officers in an impressive manner and the ‘Craigantlet Masonic Lodge of Friendship No. 486’ was declared to be at Labour.”

The Worshipful Master and Officers were then installed, an address delivered by the Grand Master, and the proceedings concluded:

“The Lodge was then closed in Peace, Love and Harmony.”

Following the meeting, members entertained the Provincial Grand Lodge Officers and visiting Brethren.

By 27 February 1953, 126 Brethren had registered with the Lodge, rising to 155 Brethren by 10 September 1984.

Meeting Places Through the Years

Crawfordsburn (1920–1967)

Craigantlet Lodge originally met in Crawfordsburn, reflecting the locality from which many of its founder members came.

Holywood (1967–2021)

The Minutes of the Grand Lodge Board of General Purposes dated 20 September 1967 record that, upon the recommendation of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Down, permission was granted for the Lodge to move its place of meeting from Crawfordsburn to Holywood.

Galwally House, Belfast (2021–Present)

On 23 December 2021, the Grand Lodge of Ireland approved the transfer of the Warrant of Craigantlet Friendship Lodge No. 486 from Holywood to Galwally House, Belfast, where the Lodge proudly meets today.

A Lodge Since 1920

Since its foundation in 1920, Craigantlet Lodge of Friendship No. 486 has remained committed to the principles of friendship, fellowship, charity, and integrity, welcoming Brethren from Belfast, County Down, and beyond.