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The Masonic Female Orphan School of Ireland was a Masonic school in Dublin, Ireland. The school was instituted in 1792, with the aim of maintaining the daughters of indigent
In 1852, after several removals, Burlington House in Burlington Place,
About Freemasonry
Freemasonry in Ireland Masonic educational institutions 1792 establishments in Ireland Ballsbridge Hotels in Dublin (city)
Freemasons
Freemasonry or Masonry refers to fraternal organisations that trace their origins to the local guilds of stonemasons that, from the end of the 13th century, regulated the qualifications of stonemasons and their interaction with authorities ...
, unable through death, illness, or incapacitation to support their families.
History
In 1788Bartholomew Ruspini
Bartolomeo Ruspini (25 March/6 April 1728 – 14 December 1813), also known as Bartholomew Ruspini, was an Italian-born British surgeon-dentist and philanthropist in the 18th century, remembered for founding the Royal Masonic School for Girls.
...
and nine fellow Freemasons met in London to discuss plans for establishing a charitable institution for the daughters of Masons who had fallen on hard times or whose death had meant hardship for their families. In 1790 several Irish Brethren met together and made themselves responsible for the school fees for girls. In 1792, a small house, affording accommodation for twenty girls, was taken in Dublin where the pupils were boarded, clothed and educated until such a time as they could earn their own living.
The children had to be between the ages of six and ten and were to be retained until they reached the age of fifteen and had to be the daughters of freemasons. At the end of their school life, girls were either returned to their family or supporters (known as Friends) or apprenticed and supported until they could establish themselves.
In 1852, after several removals, Burlington House in Burlington Place, Ballsbridge
Ballsbridge () (from historic Ball's Bridge) is an affluent neighbourhood of the city of Dublin, the capital of Ireland. The area is largely north and west of a three-arch stone bridge across the River Dodder, on the south side of the city. Th ...
, was opened. The original architect was George Papworth
George Papworth (1781–1855) was a British architect who practised mainly in Ireland during the nineteenth century.
Early life and career
Papworth was born in London in 1781 and was the third son of the English stuccoist John Papworth (1750–1 ...
. Extensive alterations were carried out by John McCurdy in 1861. An impressive newly built school was opened in 1881.
Bazaars and fairs were held to provide funds for the school. On 16 May 1892 the Masonic Centenary five-day Bazaar opened at the Royal Dublin Society
The Royal Dublin Society (RDS) ( ga, Cumann Ríoga Bhaile Átha Cliath) is an Irish philanthropic organisation and members club which was founded as the 'Dublin Society' on 25 June 1731 with the aim to see Ireland thrive culturally and economi ...
grounds, adjacent to the school. The opening was presided over by the Grand Master, the Duke of Abercorn. Among the highlights were reconstructions of historic Dublin buildings, a human chess game, and landscaped gardens. Some 96,000 passed through the turnstiles over the five days. A profit of over £21,690 was made from the 50 stalls and turnstile tickets.
In the present day, the school building houses the Clayton Hotel.
See also
* Masonic Boys School, DublinReferences
{{reflistExternal links
About Freemasonry
Freemasonry in Ireland Masonic educational institutions 1792 establishments in Ireland Ballsbridge Hotels in Dublin (city)