Public Talk- Bridgeford MacDougall Pirie; a Scottish architect in Malta

As part of the Notre Dame Gate Heritage and History Book Fair, Fondazzjoni Wirt Artna is pleased to invite you to the following public lecture in English by Professor Conrad Thake; ‘A Scottish Architect in Malta -Bridgeford MacDougall Pirie.’ Malta during British colonial rule (1801-1964), developed into a strategic fortress island at the crossroads of the Mediterranean. The British authorities invested considerable resources in consolidating the military defences of the island and the establishment of military garrison camps and hospitals. The popular narrative of British colonial rule in Malta is often times deceptively presented as a linear and homogenous geo-political narrative. This paper will seek to provide an alternative line of inquiry that probes the ‘cultural’ diversity of British Imperial rule in Malta – that there were other subtle seams of power and cultural influences that transcended a monolithic Imperial power structure. The paper will discuss the contribution and legacy of the architect Bridgeford MacDougall Pirie from Aberdeen who in 1905 joined the Royal Engineers in Malta and oversaw several important building projects in Malta. In 1907, he was engaged by Rev. George Wisely to build a new Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Home, to be known as Connaught House, on a site adjoining the Methodist church in Floriana. Amongst his various works Pirie also designed the King George V Seaman’s Memorial hospital in Floriana, the Garrison church at Pembroke and St Oswald’s chapel at Mtarfa military barracks. The lecture will focus on the unique contribution of B.M.Pirie to ‘British’ colonial architecture in Malta. This public event is being held on Thursday 3rd of October at 18.30 am at the Cantina Nicolo, Notre Dame Gate, St. Edward’s Street, Vittoriosa. Entrance for this event is free but pre-booking is advisable to secure a seat. Bookings can be made by sending an email to gabriel@wirtartna.org