Of Nursing and Knighthood

Tom Hanley, a member of the Order of Malta for 50 years, and Naomi O’Nolan, Head of Exhibitions and Collections at The Hunt Museum, discuss ‘Of Nursing and Knighthood’ – an exhibition celebrating 70 years of the Order of Malta in Limerick.

Video courtesy of Cian Reinhardt, Limerick Post. Read the full Limerick Post article here. 

The Maltese cross is the cross symbol associated with the Order of Malta since 1567, with the Knights Hospitaller and by extension with the island of Malta. The cross is a white, eight-pointed cross having the form of four “V”-shaped elements, each joining the others at its vertex, leaving the other two tips spread outward symmetrically. This is placed on a red background or worn on a black mantle. The term is often wrongly applied to all forms of eight-pointed crosses irrespective of colour or background.

The Uniform of The Order of Malta – The original uniform of the order of Malta was a red tunic with striped trousers and knights sword. (First image) This was was worn widely across Europe when initially formed. The uniform most commonly worn is today the working uniform (Fourth Image) which consists of a dark grey. Members may also wear a dress uniform on formal occasions. This consists of a military pattern tunic and trousers in grey, a white shirt and black tie and black shoes.