Lady Freemason in the frame

(by Des O’Sullivan, Irish Examiner, July 09, 2019)

This early mezzotint portrait of Mrs Elizabeth Aldworth (1695-1775) in masonic robes comes up at Fonsie Mealy’s auction in Castlecomer, Co Kilkenny on July 23.

Born Elizabeth St Leger and famous as The Lady Freemason she was the first recorded woman to be initiated into Freemasonry.

Daughter of the 1st Viscount Doneraile, she witnessed a meeting of the Freemasons in her father’s house at Doneraile Court.

Now newly opened to the public after refurbishment by the OPW, Doneraile Court was also refurbished in the late 18th century and loose…