Charities
Irish Freemasonry is
a caring organisation which, for three hundred years, has been
concerned with the welfare of young and old.
Freemasonry is not a
Provident Society, therefore membership does not confer or guarantee
financial benefits. However, in accordance with basic principles of
charity, all funds available are disbursed where need is greatest.
These funds derive from members' voluntary contributions, fundraising
activities and income from monies accumulated and invested in past
years which are prudently managed.
Where funds permit
and circumstances merit, our Charities help to meet the cost of providing
education for sons and daughters of members who may be deceased,
incapacitated or unemployed. About 600 young people receive support in
this way each year.
Members' widows in
financial difficulties may receive annuities to augment their income.
Over 2,000 widows are supported in this manner. Sheltered
accommodation for the elderly is provided at several locations around
Ireland.
One of our more
recent projects raised a substantial capital sum to found The
Freemasons of Ireland Medical Research Fund from which the income has
initially been used to finance two different Research Projects at
Musgrave Park Hospital, Belfast, and St. Vincent's Hospital, Dublin,
into causes of Arthritis.
In addition to the
main charitable activities mentioned above, many Lodges operate their
own Charity Funds locally.
In the year 2008,
we held our third "Grand Master's Festival of Charity"
during which we raised money both from our own members and by
organising events with the wider community. On this occasion, the three
very worthy Non-Masonic charities were,
The Samaritans,
The Northern Ireland
Children's Hospice and the
Laura Lynn Children's Hospice
Foundation. During this
Festival year, many fund raising events took place throughout
Ireland and beyond and the total sum raised was €660,000 and this was
distributed equally between the three charities above.
To
get further information about these charities please
click here.

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Provincial Grand Lodge of North Munster - All Rights
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