The Lodge history may be attributed to three Brethern residing in the townland of BALLYMACBRENNAN in the Parish of Drumbo near Lisburn in Country Antrim, Northern Ireland. Their application to found a new lodge being approved. The Grand Lodge of Ireland issued a Warrant number 659 dated 14th December 1786. It bore the names of David Nisbitt, Robert Nisbitt and William Kirkpatrick. First Worshipful Master, Senior Warden and Junior Warden respectively. The masonic standing of all three Brethern is unknown. Parish records however reveal that at this time David Nisbitt was aged 33.
Between the years 1788 and 1795 public processions by Masonic Lodges was not an uncommon sight in Ireland. A noteable example of this is recorded in The Belfast Newsletter when in June 1795 the Brethern of Lodge 659 in company with those of Lodge 425 passed through the town of SAINTFIELD to attend a service in the First Presbyterian Church. Public processions were soon to be prohibited by an order of Grand Lodge due to political unrest in Ireland.
The name Union True Blues was not in use during this era. Later documents would suggest the probable title to have been "THE MASONIC STAR No 659."
In 1804 the lodge changed it's place of meeting and moved from BALLYMACBRENNAN to the townland of LISNODE and its association with LISNODE abandonded in favour of BELFAST MASONIC LODGE No 659. This title was recorded in the minutes of that time. On the 19th May 1830 a Royal Arch Chapter warrant was issued.
At a meeting held in Donegal Place Buildings on 27th November 1869 overtures were made to obtain rooms in the new Masonic Temple at Arthur Square now rapidly nearing completion. The March meeting of 1870 ended our association with the May Street premises since December 1868 and on the 29th April 1870 labour was held in the new temple at Arthur Square, Cornmarket BELFAST.
In celebration of the occasion two dozen new aprons were purchased and a banquet held in the large Dining Room. The title of UNION TRUE BLUES No 659 was first recorded in the minutes of the meeting in 1879 and has remained unaltered to the present day.
Between the years 1788 and 1795 public processions by Masonic Lodges was not an uncommon sight in Ireland. A noteable example of this is recorded in The Belfast Newsletter when in June 1795 the Brethern of Lodge 659 in company with those of Lodge 425 passed through the town of SAINTFIELD to attend a service in the First Presbyterian Church. Public processions were soon to be prohibited by an order of Grand Lodge due to political unrest in Ireland.
The name Union True Blues was not in use during this era. Later documents would suggest the probable title to have been "THE MASONIC STAR No 659."
In 1804 the lodge changed it's place of meeting and moved from BALLYMACBRENNAN to the townland of LISNODE and its association with LISNODE abandonded in favour of BELFAST MASONIC LODGE No 659. This title was recorded in the minutes of that time. On the 19th May 1830 a Royal Arch Chapter warrant was issued.
At a meeting held in Donegal Place Buildings on 27th November 1869 overtures were made to obtain rooms in the new Masonic Temple at Arthur Square now rapidly nearing completion. The March meeting of 1870 ended our association with the May Street premises since December 1868 and on the 29th April 1870 labour was held in the new temple at Arthur Square, Cornmarket BELFAST.
In celebration of the occasion two dozen new aprons were purchased and a banquet held in the large Dining Room. The title of UNION TRUE BLUES No 659 was first recorded in the minutes of the meeting in 1879 and has remained unaltered to the present day.