Michael J. Ward, the Grand King of the Supreme Royal Arch of Ireland, spoke about Freemasonry at the Hamilton Rotary Club meeting held at the Royal Amateur Dinghy Club in Paget on Tuesday.

Mr. Ward gave the Rotarians a little history about Freemasonry, focusing on its origin, Freemasonry in Ireland and Irish lodges in Bermuda. Unsure about its exact inception, it has been suggested that the Order developed out of the stonemasons' guilds of the mediaeval period.

The lodge first received Royal Charters in the 12th Century and contained the likes of merchants and craftsmen.

These structures served to regulate prices, wages and standards of work. The individual would learn his trade first as an apprentice, then as a fellow and finally would become a master craftsman. In order for him to prove his practical skills he would be taught secret signs which would identify him to a potential employer.

The guilds were usually governed by a Master and two Wardens and had a formal ritual side to their working.

There would have been an initiation of some sort, stressing that it was an important turning point in a man's life.

Over time they admitted and accepted non-operative members, which is the Freemasonry of today.

"The use of secret signs is an important element to focus on, secrecy being one thing most often associated with Masonic Order however, they are mainly used today for recognitions of each other and being faithful to the some tradition which gives the title of Entered Apprentice to the new member or Master to the head of a Lodge.

"The Order is still perceived as more secretive than it actually is. Literature on the subject is widely available.

"It is possible to visit Freemason Halls, see the rooms in which meeting take place and even consult their minutes and membership records, which date back to the mid 18th century.

"Surely a secret society would not permit this; it would be better described not as a secret society but as a society having secrets."

It is not known exactly when the Order in Ireland was established at a basic level, but some early examples of evidence of the Craft working in the country were examined.

In November 1830 during excavations of the foundation of Baal's Bridge in Limerick, a brass square was discovered. The inscription on the square read: "I will strive to live with love and care upon the level by the square 1507."

There is also documented evidence which is kept at Trinity College Dublin which proves there were working lodges in 1688 which members include: gentlemen, mechanics, parsons, thatchers, poets, doctors, butchers and tailors. This shows the broad spectrum of society they were drawn from.

Although the majority of membership has always come from Ireland, there are also Irish Lodges established in other countries such as Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa, India, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand, Jamaica and Bermuda.

There are five Freemason Lodges in Bermuda. The first one was started in February of 1867 and the newest one which was started in October of 1998.

The Order supports several of it's own charitable bodies as well as raising funds for national charities in both parts of Ireland.

Notable charities that the Order has funded are The Masonic Female Orphans School, which was established in 1792 to educate the daughters of deceased Freemason and the Masonic Orphan Boys School but due to low numbers and free stated education the schools were closed down.

There is also the Victoria Jubilee Mason Benevolent Fund, which was formed to support widows of deceased Freemason but now expanded to assist distressed Freemason. This charity supports about 700 people.

The Order has also raised funds for Medical Research, sponsored ambulances for Alzheimer's Society and telephone help line for the same society.

The latest of the charities is for Samaritans and for children's Cancer Hospices.

"Whilst the Order has been generally regarded by the public as a secret society, there has been a clear message from the senior Brethren in the Order that we should be seen as more open."

Mr. Ward encourages the public to visit the website irish-freemason.org to learn more about the organisation.

Mr. Ward has been a Mason holding various titles since 1962.

He was born in Eastbourne, Sussex, England and worked at the Arthur Guinness Brewery, in. James Gate Dublin.

Less than two weeks ago, he was installed as one of the highest offices possible as a Freemason as Grand King of the Supreme Royal Arch of Ireland.

He is married with one daughter.