About
The Freemasons’ would like to invite members of the public to learn about one of the oldest historical buildings in the city and share its past and present history. The Bishop’s Palace, as it was formerly known, has its period historical significance as well as the more recent history as the Freemasons’ Hall. A guided tour of the building will highlight the significance of the building in it various guises, including its notable residents from the past and current owners from 1946. The tour will include explanations of the purpose of each of the various rooms of the building used by the masonic orders throughout the period to date and the role the masonic order has as a charity. Particularly as it is the 2nd largest charitable organisation and second only to the National Lottery fund within GB and Ireland.
The Freemasons' Hall, Bishop Street, Londonderry, is a grade 2 Georgian listed building, built by the 18th Church of Ireland (Anglican) Bishop of Derry, William Barnard, in 1761. It was constructed on the site of an old Augustine Convent, but records would indicate there was a religious building (either a church or monastery) situated here as far back as 575 AD.
It was the official residence of the Bishop of Derry until 1946. The Dioceses of Derry and Raphoe were amalgamated in 1834 as a result of the Irish Churches Temporalities Bill, and the 22nd Incumbent, the Honourable Richard Ponsonby became the 1st Bishop of the new United Diocese.
The 6th Bishop of Derry & Raphoe, Robert McNeil Boyd, came from a rural background and when he was elected in 1945, decided he preferred to live away from the town centre. A new See house was found near Culmore, overlooking the River Foyle, and the building in Bishop Street was sold by the Representative Body of the Church of Ireland to Masonic Brethren of the City of Londonderry in December for the princely sum of £6,900.
Famous previous residents include the Earl Bishop, Frederick Hervey, 3rd Earl of Bristol and Bishop of Derry 1768 to 1803; and Frances Cecil Alexander hymn writer and charity worker whose collection includes classics such as "There is a green field far away", "All things bright and beautiful" and "Once in Royal David's City".
The building was badly damaged in the 1970's and 1980's, but happily the Freemasons worked tirelessly to ensure the Hall would be usable for years to come.
The upkeep of the Hall is undertaken by the Board of Management, elected by the members who use the Hall on a regular basis, and as can be expected in a building almost 300 years old, this is very much a hands-on, ongoing activity. Recent renovations include repainting both the interior and exterior walls, and the installation of a computer controlled heating system.
