Anti-Masonic Vandalism: Freemasons' Hall in Belfast, Northern Ireland Damaged

[My Freemasonry]

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by Christopher Hodapp



Historic Freemasons Hall in Belfast, Northern Ireland was damaged last Tuesday when one or more unknown vandals smashed a window and damaged the building's exterior.

From a story in the Belfast Telegraph by Niamh Campbell:

[COLOR=var(--color-primary-80)]It was reported that a window above a door at the property in Arthur Square was smashed sometime between 8.45pm on Monday evening and 11am on Tuesday morning.[/COLOR]

[COLOR=var(--color-primary-80)]A male was observed acting suspiciously in the area at around 10pm on Monday evening, and officers say they “would be keen to speak with him”.[/COLOR]




[COLOR=var(--color-primary-80)]The PSNI said he was dressed in a black hoody with the hood up, an orange top hanging below the hoody, grey bottoms, and that he was carrying a black bag.[/COLOR]




[COLOR=var(--color-primary-80)]The Masonic hall, adjacent to Victoria Square shopping centre, is home to dozens of Freemason Belfast lodges.[/COLOR]



Posting on the Irish Masonic Network’s social media page, a member shared images of the vandalised building and stated: “With great sadness I have to report a sustained attack on Freemasons Hall Arthur Square.

After the Vatican issued a new statement in November reaffirming the Roman Catholic Church's rules forbidding their congregants from becoming Freemasons, there has been a major uptick in offensive online anti-Masonic commentary. There has already been a steady increase in reports of attacks on Masonic halls throughout the world in 2023 in the form of anti-Masonic graffiti, break-ins, arson fires, and other forms of deliberate damage.

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Belfast Freemasons Hall after its 2007 renovations
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The Belfast Freemasons Hall was originally opened in 1870, and underwent a complete refurbishment in 2007. It is home to numerous Masonic lodges, appendant bodies, and the Donegal Masonic Club.

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According to the Hall's website, the renowned Belfast artist John Luke was commissioned in spring 1955 to execute a mural depicting “Solomon Building the Temple” in The Provincial Masonic Hall Rosemary Street. Measuring 31feet long and 7feet high, it was completed November 1956, and the artist was paid £375. In 2000 the mural was appraised at £3 million.

Police are continuing to investigate the case.

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[curtez]

Any pictures of the damage?

 

[usar123]

What a shame !

 

[Bloke]