Irish navy to return historic fort crest to Malta after 60 years

A historic naval crest lay in Irish homes for over 60 years with the owners oblivious of its significance to Malta’s heritage.

The crest was finally passed to a man from Youghal, Co Cork, whose father had, by coincidence, served in the British Navy at the actual ‘stone frigate’ base in Malta. And, very shortly, the LÉ James Joyce, on a humanitarian migrant rescue mission in the Mediterranean will return the crest to a Malta naval museum.

The handing-over ceremony will take place aboard the Irish patrol ship.