Written by Juanita Frendo
Remnants of an Irish connection left by a history of Irish crossover in Malta can be found across the islands, but none more prevalent than in the quaint harbour town of Floriana where the Irish connection runs deep.
The ‘tal-Irish’
The nickname ‘tal-Irish’ (meaning ‘the Irish / of Ireland’), is proudly donned by Furjaniżi (the Maltese nickname for residents of Floriana – Florianites in English) everywhere, as a symbol of their identity.
Although Floriana and Ireland share many links — including our colonial history – certain quarters contend that this nickname stems from the ebullient welcome the residents of Floriana gave to Cardinal Michael Logue, Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland in 1895. Cardinal Logue was visiting Malta at the invitation of the Bishop of Malta at the time, Pietro Pace, Titular Archbisop of Rhodes.
Cardinal Logue was so moved by the warm reception accorded to him from the people of Floriana that he is said to have addressed them on the occasion with the remark, “You are truly like the sons of Ireland”. This then led to the nickname ‘tal-Irish’.
Cardinal Logue’s departure from Malta on his way to Rome was even more rapturous because he was accompanied to the jetty by a huge concourse and the Vilhena Band Club of Floriana, which enhanced the festive atmosphere. Moved by the experience, the Cardinal afterwards campaigned with the Vatican authorities to have the liturgy of the Feast of Saint Publius, Patron Saint of Floriana (and of Malta), elevated to ‘first class’.
A sporting connection
A typical Mediterranean passion for football is found across the Maltese Islands. In Floriana, this is no exception, but their interest comes from an Irish connection.
Their football team proudly dons green jerseys, with the choice of colour dating back to 1905, when the Royal Dublin Fusiliers, who were stationed in Malta at the time, played a friendly match with Floriana.
At the end of the match the Irish soldiers donated their shirts to their Floriana counterparts as a sign of respect for a game well played. From that day onwards, Floriana’s green and red shirts were swapped out for the green and white ones. Certain quarters contend that the Florianites nickname ‘tal-Irish’ actually stemmed from this sporting encounter.
In any case, this nickname became further entrenched with the Floriana team during the early 20th century, when it began being commonly known as the ‘Irish Team’. Since then, various Floriana amateur football teams have carried names with a close connection to Ireland, including Floriana Irish, Floriana Irish Born (a local hockey team also opts for this name), Floriana Shamrocks and Floriana St Patrick’s.
Vilhena Band Club
The Vilhena Band Club has a strong connection to the Irish which has been ingrained in the minds of Furjaniżi for many generations. The relationship began with the great send-off to Cardinal Logue in 1985, where the Vilhena Band Club played. Following this, the Vilhena Band Club wrote a band march dedicated to the connection they felt to Ireland, titled ‘Irish Forever’.
The Band Club has long had Irish fans, including Irish naval admirers who are said to have gifted the group two Irish naval flags, including an Irish merchant navy ensign that dates back to before 1922. To celebrate this history of connections, the Irish Embassy in Malta presented an Irish Naval Jack flag to the Vilhena Band Club in 2024, during St Patrick’s Day celebrations.
Balzunetta’s Irish legacy
Certain areas in Floriana are a testament to the legacy left behind by Irish soldiers and their supporting families. Balzunetta, an area on the northern side of Floriana, is one such example.
A number of establishments in the area proudly bear Irish-themed names, including ‘Irish Born Ironmongery’, ‘Shamrock Bar and Restaurant’ and ‘Floriana Irish Born’.
The first reference to a local celebration of the feast of St Patrick can be traced back to Balzunetta. During the Great War and following, Irish soldiers were stationed in the harbour area, and as such, the bars in the area attracted an Irish crowd.
On St Patrick’s Day, a shrine dedicated to the Irish patron saint was set up each year, in Triq il-Konservatorju (Conservatory Street) in the Balzunetta area of Floriana.It was organised by local Irishman James (Jimmy) Dowdall—who is believed to have personally set up the shrine himself, adorning the frame of St Patrick with candles. The Dowdalls originated from Ireland in the 19th century. In Floriana, James Dowdall was crucial in building and maintaining an Irish spirit in the area, and for a time the Dowdall family owned the Flagship Music Hall and Bar in the vicinity.
Contemporary connections
Floriana celebrates its Irish connections through events and collaborations during the year, making it a must-visit spot on the Maltese Islands for anyone with an interest.
With a rich history to immerse yourself in, complemented by an Irish legacy seen everywhere, this beautiful town has a lot to offer.
