If you want to celebrate St Patrick’s Day away from the street party crowds, you might want to check out this event organised by the Floriana local council.

On Sunday 14th March, the streets of Floriana will turn green to celebrate the historic links of a town, whose residents are nicknamed ‘Tal-Irish’, with Ireland.

Speaking to GuideMeMalta, Floriana Mayor Nigel Holland explained just how deep the town’s Irish connections go.

In the early 1900s, the Royal Dublin Fusiliers – a now-defunct Irish regiment of the British Army – played a series of friendly football games against Floriana FC, who back then wore red and green kits.

After the game, the Irish soldiers gifted their green and white striped football jerseys to their Maltese counterparts.

Since then, Floriana FC abandoned their red and green kits in favour of the green and white, which they still wear till this day.

However, Mr Holland said the town’s Irish connections could go back even further, when Irish prelate Michael Logue visited Malta in 1895.

It is said that when Cardinal Logue visited Floriana, he was so moved by the public reception that he told the locals they are “truly like the sons of Ireland”.

The St Patrick’s event will include an Irish-themed band parade, complete with pipes and drums, in the Balzunetta area.

There will also be live music from Malta-based Irish band Reel Celtic, Kersten Graham, Gianni & Papps and Matthew James & Band, as well as food stalls and a children’s play area.

It’s a St Patrick’s celebration that promises a more family-friendly and relaxed atmosphere to the larger festivities in St Julian’s.