Our Blog
The First Female Irish Freemason
While mainstream Freemasonry is traditionally exclusively a male organization, historically, there do seem to have been occasional exceptions. Elizabeth Aldworth is a notable one.
Who was the First Female Freemason?
Elizabeth Aldworth was born in 1693 in Doneraile, Co. Cork, to a prominent Anglo-Irish family. Elizabeth was the daughter of Elizabeth Hayes and Arthur St. Leger, 1st Viscount Doneraile.
Sometime around 1713 (the exact date is unknown), Elizabeth fell asleep while reading in the library at Doneraile Court. The building was undergoing renovations, and the wall between the library and the adjacent room included loose bricks with no mortar between them. She awoke to hear noises in the next room. The tone and cadence of the voices made her curious. Supposedly, she removed a brick or two so she could see what was going on.
She discovered her father’s lodge of Freemasons was using the neighboring room for a meeting. When she heard the gravity of the oaths being sworn, she became frightened. In her fear, she attempted sneak out of the library. But just outside the door, the butler was acting as “Tyler” for the lodge. His role was to protect the meeting from eavesdroppers. Startled by him, she screamed and fainted, and the butler called into the lodge room for her father.
It was decided that the only way to preserve the secrets that she had witnessed was to initiate her. This initiation would make her bound by the same oaths not to reveal what she had seen and heard.
Historical Implications
Contemporary accounts say that she remained active Mason throughout her life, appearing in parades and meetings. Her name even appears among the subscribers in an early version of the constitutions of the fraternity, published in 1744. The memorial plaque that marks her grave was commissioned by the Freemans of Cork, Ireland, and lists her initiation as a Mason in 1712.
These days there are branches of Freemasonry or “Co-Freemasonry” that do accept women. However, most traditional Masonic jurisdictions still do not recognize them. Elizabeth Aldworth remains the only recognized female Freemason in Ireland. She is said to be one of only four women to have been initiated into Freemasonry.
Fellow Scotsman? Check out some of our products!
- Made in Scotland
- High-quality lead-free pewter
- Antiqued finish
- Measures 2.5 Centimeters Long
- 1.75 Centimeters Wide
- Special-order! Please allow 4-8 weeks for delivery. Please click for important information about special-order items.
- Kids-size Jacobite kilt shirt made in Scotland
- 100% white cotton keeps your kids cool and comfortable all day long
- Features lace-up fronts with grommets and matches our adult’s premium kilt shirt
- Choose from ages 2, 4, 6, 8, or 10 for the right fit
- Made in Scotland
- Piper Figure Over Clan Crest Belt
- High-quality lead-free pewter
- Antiqued finish
- Measures Approx. 3.25″ Long
- About 1.25″ Wide (the Guard of the Hilt)
- Clan Crest and Other Non-Clan Badges Available
NOTE — We try very hard to keep these in stock at all times, but if we are waiting for a shipment from Scotland, you will need to wait too, up to 8 weeks for delivery.
- Our Formal Kilt Shirt and Tie Set is perfect for weddings, proms, or other formal events.
- The shirt is made with a 55/45 poly and cotton blend. It has a wing collar and french cuffs.
- Size availability is small to 5XL (14.5 inch to 20 inch neck) and sleeves 34/35 or 36/37.
- Bow tie and studs included, so you don’t need to worry about cufflinks.