The Ancient And Most Benevolent Order Of The Friendly Brothers Of Saint Patrick
History
The founding aim of the Ancient and Most Benevolent Order of Saint Patrick was 'to promote and encourage, amongst Men, the practice of all social virtues and to suppress the barbarous practice of dueling which was unknown 'to the politest and bravest nations." (Fundamental Laws 1750.)The Order grew in the eighteenth century after the establishment of its governing body, the General Grand Knot, which issued Patents to form new Knots of Friendly Brothers in most market towns in Ireland and some in England. Today the Order has nineteen Knots and each has its own meeting arrangements. As you might expect, on Saint Patrick's Day every year members of Knots from all over the universe gather to meet in Dublin, the capital city of Ireland, following a service in Saint Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin.