Stranmillis Volunteers LOL 454

Stranmillis Volunteers L.O.L. 454

This lodge was first raised in 1798 at Stranorlar, County Donegal, under a warrant issued to its first Worshipful Master, Brother John Rea. At a later date the warrant is shown as being in the custody of Brother James Burnett of Letterkenny when the lodge was a part of Ballintra District; records show they were active in this district during 1858, and still domiciled in the same area during 1877. At some stage after this date the warrant became dormant, and was re-issued to Brother Edward Dougan (who was so prominent in organising No. 10 District Church Services) on 4 September 1903, when the lodge was re-constituted under the present number as part of No. 10 District Lodge.

It was at this stage that an interesting mistake occurred which makes L.O.L.454 something of a rarity in Ireland. Due to an error in communication between Belfast County Grand Lodge and Donegal County Grand Lodge (which party was at fault being unknown), on 16 December 1907 the warrant was again issued, while already active in Ballynafeigh, to a newly formed lodge in Ballintra, County Donegal, as part of that District and known as Ballinakillen L.O,L. 454, which today has 22 members. Meanwhile, until 1985, both lodges continue to exist happily unaware of each others existence. However, they have now been informed of each others presence, and social contacts are being established between the two'duplicateIt was at this stage that an interesting mistake occurred which makes L.O.L.454 something of a rarity in Ireland. Due to an error in communication between Belfast County Grand Lodge and Donegal County Grand Lodge (which party was' lodges. Since their reconstitution, the membership of the Belfast lodge in its early days came, as the title suggests, from the Stranmillis area, where until recent years strong contacts were maintained between the lodge and St. Bartholomews Church in that area. Prominent members down through the years include W. Bro. Edward Dougan (Senior), second District Master, and Brothers James Hopely, John Shaw, Archie McKee and John Bates who collectively gave many years of service to the lodge.