Latest news with #FreemasonsofIreland
Irish Independent
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
78-year-old Cork pensioner drops 16,000 feet for charity
78-year-old Liam Cunningham has completed a daring plunge to raise money for a worthy cause. Liam has raised over €7,000 to buy Teddy Bears on behalf of the Freemasons of Ireland, which will be distributed to sick children in five hospitals across Cork and Kerry. Liam estimated that he has already donated 50,000 bears in the last 13 years.
RTÉ News
25-04-2025
- Entertainment
- RTÉ News
Freemasons investigating after hall used in graphic video
The Freemasons of Ireland has confirmed it is investigating after a music video, featuring explicit scenes, was filmed at its hall on Molesworth Street in Dublin. The venue was used as a stand in for a room in Westminster in London, to film part of the graphic video for a song by Dublin rapper Eskimo Supreme called 'Spit in It'. Grand Secretary of the Freemasons in Ireland Philip Daley said an investigation is under way in relation to the use of the hall for the video. "It would be inappropriate to make any further statement until our investigation is complete," he said in an emailed statement. In the video, actors portraying paramilitaries are seen shouting explicit demands at a woman described as 'Your Royal Highness'. The music video first appeared on YouTube a week ago. The artist behind Eskimo Supreme - Alex Sheehan - is signed to Greenback Records, which is credited at the end of the video. MMA fighter Conor McGregor launched the label last summer with music industry business partners. Earlier this month, the Grand Lodge of the Freemasons apologised after it emerged that their hall was used for the filming of an interview between Mr McGregor and controversial US political commentator Tucker Carlson. Speaking on RTÉ's This Week last Sunday, Mr Daley said it was a "mistake" to allow the interview to take place at the Freemasons' Hall and that procedures have been put in place to ensure that it cannot happen again. The Freemasons of Ireland will donate the money they were paid for hosting the interview to charity, he said.
BBC News
25-04-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Conor McGregor: Freemasons donate to charity after Tucker Carlson interview
The Freemasons of Ireland will make a €2,500 (£2,130) donation to charity after its premises in Dublin were used for "grossly inappropriate purposes" when rented out for an interview between Conor McGregor and US commentator Tucker Carlson. The 55-minute interview between the former Fox News host and the MMA fighter has amassed over 1.4 million views since being posted to Carlson's YouTube channel last Friday. It featured discussion about McGregor's intention to run for the Irish presidency, immigration and Donald Freemasons subsequently apologised and said the booking would have not been accepted if it had known what the venue was being used for. Now, the organisation has decided it will make an anonymous donation of €2,500 to "an appropriate non-political charity" and investigate the use of the Grand Lodge Room, as reported by the Irish Independent. The Freemasons' grand master elect told members in an email that the interview had caused "incalculable" damage and that the venue had been used for "grossly inappropriate purposes". "The Grand Lodge of Ireland does not comment on any political matter and so regrets letting our premises facilitate any political discussion," Richard S G Ensor wrote."I look for your support to get us over this unpleasant time and steer us back on the right path. "I am personally abhorred at what has taken place and extend my personal apology to our members, family and friends."Earlier this week, the grand secretary of the Grand Lodge of Freemasons of Ireland, Philip Daley, told Irish broadcaster RTÉ that they regularly take bookings from media organisations but "insist" on knowing the interviewer, guests and topics of discussion to ensure this aligns with the organisation's "morals and principles".However, he said in the case of McGregor and Carlson, the information was only received an hour before the organisation decided to "let it go" as the media company assured all backgrounds would be blurred and no reference would be made to the Freemasons' Hall."In hindsight we're not happy with that decision, I mean, look, we made a mistake, put my hands up, fully admit that," Mr Daley added. What did Conor McGregor and Tucker Carlson talk about? In the almost hour-long interview, the pair discussed the Irish economy, the government and McGregor's announcement that he intends to run for the Irish presidency. McGregor said he wanted "a democratic process" to play out in advance of the presidential election and that the era of the politician had been "unfruitful" and should come to an also spoke about immigration, Donald Trump, US Tariffs and the housing praised President Trump as someone who did not lead "at the behest of the party".
Extra.ie
24-04-2025
- Politics
- Extra.ie
Freemasons to donate €2,500 to charity following Conor McGregor–Tucker Carlson interview
The Freemasons of Ireland have said that they will make a €2,500 donation to charity after Tucker Carlson interviewed Conor McGregor in their hall. The disgraced UFC fighter was interviewed by Carlson, himself booted off Fox News in mysterious and acrimonious circumstances, last Friday, where he broached potentially running for President once again. The organisation have since apologised for allowing McGregor and Carlson to use their hall as the location of the interview, saying that they wouldn't have accepted the booking had they realised what it was for, and will investigate the use of the Grand Lodge Room by the Grand Lodge Conduct Committee. The Freemasons of Dublin have said that they will make a €2,500 donation to charity, after Conor McGregor was interviewed by Tucker Carlson in their hall. Pic: Tucker Carlson via YouTube At the Grand Masters Council earlier this week, the Masons said that lodge rooms would be used only for 'lodge purposes,' and no 'non-Masonic meetings' will be held in the Freemasons Lodge 'until further notice.' The Irish Independent also report that the masons have decided to donate €2,500 to 'an appropriate, non-political charity' following the controversial interview. McGregor has said that he will run for President later this year ahead of November's election, but faces an uphill battle to even receive a nomination; as hundreds of members of the Oireachtas and other councils, the two ways that he must receive a nomination, have refused to entertain the idea of nominating him. McGregor's interview saw him discuss a potential Presidential bid, and other political issues. Pic: Tucker Carlson via YouTube Even if he were to receive a nomination, recent polls said that 89% of the Irish population wouldn't vote for him in the Presidential election; with the Minister for Public Expenditure Jack Chambers saying that his bid for the Presidency 'will be widely rejected.' 'When it comes to Tucker Carlson and Conor McGregor, I think you've seen the resounding rejection of Conor McGregor's attempt to run for the Presidency,' Minister Chambers said last week ahead of the Tucker Carlson interview. 'I think most political parties and Independents completely reject his politics, his rhetoric, his divisive approach to public debate, and I'm sure that will be reflected in his interview with Tucker Carlson.' 'That type of extreme politics isn't something that most Irish people would accept, and I think it will be widely rejected if he attempted to run with the Presidency. I'd be surprised if he received a nomination.'
Time of India
22-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Conor McGregor's political aspirations stir controversy amid emotional interview with Tucker Carlson
Conor McGregor tells Tucker Carlson he'd die for Ireland, despite his mother's growing concern (Image Source: Getty Images) Key Highlights: Conor McGregor says he would 'give his life' for Ireland in emotional interview with Tucker Carlson. Freemasons of Ireland apologize after unknowingly hosting McGregor's controversial political interview. McGregor slams Irish government over immigration and culture, says 'the era of the politician must end.' Conor McGregor is making waves across Ireland and beyond by throwing his hat into the political arena. In a headline-making interview with political commentator Tucker Carlson, McGregor asserted that his next fight is for the soul of his country. The interview has gained wide traction, earning astonishing viewership, but not without controversy. What did Conor McGregor say in his interview with Tucker Carlson? by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like What Is Dogecoin (DOGE)? | ZebPay ZebPay Learn More Undo The interview, filmed at the historic Grand Lodge of Freemasons in Dublin, has already drawn over 1.4 million views on Carlson's YouTube channel. But the conversation and the location sparked immediate backlash. The Freemasons of Ireland later apologized for unknowingly hosting the interview, saying, 'If the participants and content had been known, the booking would not have been accepted.' They pledged to donate the rental fee to charity. Conor McGregor's Presidential Bid, Tariffs, Erasing Irish Culture, and Deporting Rosie O'Donnell Still, McGregor's passion for his country was undeniable. 'I love my country dearly. Nothing and no one could ever change that fact. I would give my life for my nation,' he told Carlson. That sentiment has left some supporters and even his family deeply concerned. 'Despite maybe the worries of my mother and people in my life… they say, 'Why? Let's go away. Let's sail on the yacht…' But I cannot.' McGregor's shift from global sports icon to aspiring Irish president has left the political establishment rattled. In the interview, he criticized the Irish government for what he described as the 'erasure of Irish culture' and for promoting 'mass immigration' without concern for its citizens. 'Like a lot of countries in the western sphere, Ireland is being governed by people with ill intentions of its people,' McGregor stated. Though he acknowledges the hurdles in launching a serious political campaign, like needing the support of four county councils or 20 Oireachtas nominations, he said, 'The era of the politician must end,' he declared. 'It's still a fight to represent my country to the best of my ability.' When asked about being labeled by CNN as 'the leader of Ireland's far-right,' McGregor brushed it off. 'All of these terminologies mean nothing to me. I'm a family man. I'm an employer of the country. I'm a supporter of many people and I care about my land and the safety of its citizens and the prosperity of its citizens.' McGregor's appearance on Carlson's platform, after a recent visit to Donald Trump at the White House, has fueled concerns about his alignment with far-right ideologies. 'There are many people who are seeing this tariff situation as a 'we got you' moment for our Government,' McGregor said. Also Read: Sean Strickland Slams Rhea Ripley's Wrestling Clip as 'Spam Ad' in NSFW Rant Get the latest IPL 2025 updates on Times of India , including match schedules , team squads , points table and IPL live score for CSK , MI , RCB , KKR , SRH , LSG , DC , GT , PBKS , and RR . Don't miss the list of players in the race for IPL Orange Cap and IPL Purple cap .
