Freemasons Hall - Keady

LOCATION OF ZETLAND LODGE

In 1890 on the formation of the Lodge the Protestant Hall in Keady was used. Shields and pedestal were provided in 1891, painted by W B Maxwell, who declined to charge the Lodge for services rendered. In the same year six chairs were purchased for 2/6 each and two years later a dinner service and cutlery were purchased at a cost of £2 - 4 - 6. Half of this expense was paid by the then Worshipful Master, W Bro Gardiner.
In 1893 the free use of the Parochial School Building was offered to the Lodge by Bro Rev M B Hogg and the Lodge met there until 1905 when it transferred to the Small Memo0rial Hall as the Parochial School had been taken over by the Railway Company. One year later the Memorial hall was offered for sale to the Lodge by Mr. Small and as the Lodge had been considering building its own premises, a committee was formed to negotiate its purchase. The hall was subsequently purchased for £200 plus a contribution towards raising a lease in perpetuity as the title to the hall was not clear. The matter was left in the hands of Mr. Gillespie the solicitor. Subscriptions by members towards the purchase of the hall were noted at £79 - 16 - 0. An account was opened with the Northern Banking Company, Keady, and an overdraft of £200 requested to pay for the hall.
The payment was lodged at the bank in the names of Mr. Small (Vendor) and the Secretary of the Lodge and the hall was insured for £300 raised to £400 three years later.
The hall appears to have been hired out as we read that the Temperance Society had the use of the hall for 2/6 per night, also that the Diocesan School Board were very remiss in paying their rent, as in 1910 they owed £13 - 6 - 8, this amount was only reduced by £10 some months later as the Secretary was instructed to press for full payment.
In 1910 a sum of £30 was available for repairs to the hall but work was proceeding slowly due to lack of funds. In 1912 major alterations and renovations were carried out under the direction of Mr. Jarvis, architect. The porch was removed and stairs installed as seen today. Girders were fitted and partition walls removed in the cellar to facilitate a dining area.
The work was carried out by Bro Hueston who did all the masonry work and was assisted by an unnamed joiner. When the renovations were complete an occasional Provincial Grand Lodge communication was held in Keady Hall. It was presided over by R W Bro Major S V Richardson D.C. Provincial Deputy Grand Master who with assistance of V W Bro Whitton and V W Bro S C Kimmett Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies dedicated the hall in due form.
The next mention of structural improvements comes in 1923 when a committee was formed with full powers to plan and cause to be erected a kitchen at the rear of the premises. The hall has remained more or less the same ever since.