The sailor who became a symbol: The Legacy of Thomas McSweeney

The Department of Classics & Archaeology recently hosted a well-attended and engaging public lecture by Ms Brenna Thornley, a student of the MA in Global Maritime Archaeology. Held under the auspices of Her Excellency Caroline Whelan, Ambassador of Ireland to Malta, the event brought together students, staff, and members of the general public.

Ms Thornley’s talk explored connections between maritime death, memorialisation, and the formation of local cult traditions, focusing on the 19th-century case of Thomas McSweeney, an Irish sailor executed and buried in Malta. Through a multidisciplinary lens combining archaeology, history, and cultural ethnography, she examined how the burial of sailors far from home can shape collective memory and influence ritual practices within coastal communities.

The lecture was warmly received, sparking thoughtful conversations that continued during a reception in the Department’s courtyard.

We extend our thanks to Her Excellency the Ambassador for her support, and congratulations to Ms Thornley for an excellent presentation that highlights the depth and diversity of research within our MA in Global Maritime Archaeology.