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Stolen 19th-century Masonic banner sought for return by Borris House authorities

Call for recovery of 200-year-old Masonic flag stolen from Borris House, Co Carlow, last month.

Plea for the recovery of a 19th century Masonic flag, stolen from Borris House.
Plea for the recovery of a 19th century Masonic flag, stolen from Borris House.

Stolen 19th-century Masonic banner sought for return by Borris House authorities

In County Carlow, a 200-year-old Masonic banner has gone missing from Borris House, a popular tourist attraction known for its rich history and architectural charm. The banner, displaying a gold star on a blue background, was taken during the Festival of Writing and Ideas held at the estate on Saturday, 7th June.

Borris House, a private historic house nestled in the Barrow Valley, has been a site of interest since its construction in the Tudor style in 1731. The house, which is also the hereditary home of the MacMorrough Kavanagh family, has undergone restoration after sustaining damage during the 1798 rebellion and was fully restored in 1820.

The banner, predating the state of Israel by almost 150 years, has been a significant part of Borris House since the inception of the Chapel of St Moling within the estate in 1816. The banner's historical attachment to the house makes its disappearance all the more noteworthy.

The owners of Borris House believe the banner may have been mistaken for a Star of David and taken as a form of protest. They have issued an appeal for its return, but no progress or recovery has been reported since the appeal was issued on July 5, 2025.

Borris House is also renowned for its Borris Lace industry, established in the mid-1840s, and is surrounded by 650 acres of woodland and gardens, offering visitors a picturesque setting to explore.

As the investigation into the theft continues, local news sources such as RTÉ or County Carlow news outlets are the best places to monitor for updates on the missing banner's recovery. The situation remains unresolved at this time, according to the current information available.

The historical charm of Borris House, which boasts its Borris Lace industry and home-and-garden aesthetics, has been marred by the disappearance of a 200-year-old Masonic banner. Originally housed within the Chapel of St Moling, the lifestyle and architectural narrative of Borris House is incomplete without the stolen banner, displaying a gold star on a blue background.

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