Freemasonry and Druidism 

It has been suggested by some (Thomas Paine for one) that Freemasonry is the remains of the ancient Druids, who like the Magi of Persia and the priests of Heliopolis in Egypt, were priests of the Sun. (See "The History of Freemasonry" by Mackey page 199)

A researcher named Faber said that the Druidical Bards "are probably the real founders of Freemasonry." (See "The History of Freemasonry" by Mackey page 199)

 Links here not working yet.  Also see:
"Freemasonry and the Druids" by W. Reade (As MSWORD doc) (As PDF)