However, by 1751, a rival Grand Lodge emerged in London, composed of Scottish and Irish Freemasons, who labelled the original Grand Lodge as ‘Moderns’ and themselves as ‘Antients’.

The Whyte’s sale, on March 3rd at 6pm in the Freemason’s Hall on Molesworth Street, Dublin, will be followed by deVeres’ Irish art auction on March 25th, with Adam’s taking place a day later.