For as long as there have been freemasons, there have been conspiracy theories. They are the secret rulers of the world.
They are in league with the devil.
They look out for one another when it comes to the best jobs.
Douglas Grey has heard them all before and nothing fazes him. The Deputy Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Ireland says he even gets a kick out of the conspiracies.
"They're so far-fetched," he laughs.
"I read the last Dan Brown book [The Lost Symbol] and there were definitely aspects of it I recognised as a Freemason in terms of symbols, for instance, but a lot of it is a far cry from the freemasonry I know."
Incidentally, Brown's novel is sympathetic to Masons and their traditions.
Grey -- "Dougie", as he is affectionately known -- is a 67-year-old Dubliner who has been a Freemason for 30 years. "We have nothing to hide whatsoever. The only secretive aspects of Freemasonry are the forms of recognition -- passwords and handshakes -- and that dates from the earliest days."
Since the advent of the internet, he says the conspiracy theories have intensified, and the huge popularity of fiction like The Lost Symbol has led to an upsurge in people seeking information about the masons.
"In recent years, we've had a lot of enquiries and some younger men are seeking membership," he says. "But it's important that they want to join for the right reasons. Yes, it is a fraternal society and there is a very enjoyable social aspect to it, but our main concern is with charity. And we expect our members to pitch in. We strive to be a part of the community, not apart from it."
Last year, it donated €600,000 to worthy non-masonic causes and the Grand Lodge pays all or part of the school fees of 800 Irish students, most of them related to a Mason.
"Obviously, we only pay the fees of those whose family have fallen on tough times."
Irish Freemasonry's profile is set to be raised with the sponsorship of one of the country's premier classical music competitions, Young Musician of the Year 2010. The semi-finals and final will be held in the Freemason's Hall, Dublin, on October 14 and 16.
"Sponsoring an event like this is hardly the act of an organisation that sees itself as a secret society," Grey says. "I suppose we wanted to move with the times and be a bit more visible than we had been in the past.
"We are happy to answer any question and anybody who likes can have a tour of this building. We've nothing to hide."
This building is No. 17 Molesworth Street, the headquarters of Freemasonry for the island of Ireland.
Situated opposite Buswell's Hotel, the imposing address was built by the 3rd Duke of Leinster and opened in 1868. It is in use almost every night of the week, as Masonic lodges nationwide hold meetings here.
Inside, it is vast and grand and loaded with the symbols of Masonry, which are bewildering for first-time visitors.
There are several ornate rooms designated for the different ranks of Freemasonry -- such as the Supreme Grand Royal Arch Chapter -- as well as the striking Grand Lodge Room, which is capable of seating 300 people and comes replete with a white and black chequered carpet to denote good and evil.
The Grand Lodge of Ireland is 285 years old and the first meetings were held in taverns in what is now Temple Bar.
Freemasonry has its roots in the Enlightenment Era, as progressive thinkers co-opted the honour codes that existed between the stonemasons of medieval times -- those artisans who built Europe's stunning cathedrals and were considered to be touched by the grace of God.
As these masons were illiterate, they revealed their skills to a new employer by way of a special handshake.
The aprons Freemasons wear today is also a throwback to those worn by stonemasons centuries ago.
Although Freemasonry differs from country to country, the central premise is based around the parable of King Solomon's Temple in the Old Testament.
Hiram Abiff, the so-called Widow's Son, is a key figure for masons because they believe he was the master architect of the temple.
According to Dougie Grey, freemasons strive to lead a better life, attributing symbolic meanings to the stonemason's tools -- such as the square and compass, which along with the Bible (or a book of worship from any of the world's major religions) are key to understanding Freemasonry.
"It's important to remember that Freemasonry is not a religion," he says.
He is anxious to point out that there are no links whatsoever between the Orange Order and Freemasons.
"That is a sectarian, political organisation. Freemasonry does not permit discussion on religious or political matters at meetings."
Another myth he wants to debunk is the notion that it is a Protestant fraternity exclusively.
"We welcome people of all religions. We ask that members believe in a Supreme Being, but they do not have to define that being. We have Roman Catholic members. Freemasonry is open to all men, except atheists and agnostics."
While that may be the case, the Catholic Church and some of the Protestant denominations have had a long-standing antipathy toward Freemasonry so, in Ireland, lodges were overwhelmingly comprised of Church of Ireland devotees, and that is probably still the case to this day.
It is not clear what the Vatican's official stance on Freemasonry is today, but previous Papal Bulls were strongly opposed to what it considered to be a sect.
There are 35,000 Freemasons on the island of Ireland, but only 5,000 of them are resident in the Republic. Despite this, Grey says the organisation continues to thrive and after something of a lull, younger men are seeking membership.
Daniel Stanford -- "son of", he says with a playful roll of the eyes in reference to his actor father, Alan -- is 28 and has been a Freemason for five years.
After losing his Dail job a year ago, he now works full time as a tour guide at No. 17.
He clearly loves the role and is fascinated by the history of Freemasonry. He happily admits a yen for symbolism and mystery prompted his interest in the first place, but now it is the fellowship of Masonry that has truly captured his heart. "It's completely different than what I imagined it would be like," he says.
"I've made some wonderful friends here. Yes, many of them are much older than I am, but so what? One of the best people I've ever met in my life was a Mason, Bob Fitzgerald, who used to be secretary of the IRFU. He's passed away now, but I consider myself fortunate to have met him."
He is fond of the strange rituals of Freemasonry, not least because they have been passed down through the generations. Although he is reluctant to talk about what exactly happens during the three initiation ceremonies all members must undertake in order to become a Master Mason, he is adamant that the occasions are "incredibly moving and unforgettable".
Freemasonry is not short of its critics, especially those who take umbrage at the policy that prohibits female members.
"It's tradition," Grey says. "I wouldn't want to be a member of the Irish Countrywomen's Association."
Stanford says he has wrestled with the gender issue, and would be open to the idea of women joining if there was sufficient demand.
"My girlfriend works here as an archivist and sees the great work it has done, so I don't have to defend my membership to her," he says.
"But when I tell people I'm a Mason, it does tend to raise eyebrows. I'm just pround to be part of an old tradition."
SIC: II/IE
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