Order of Malta Limerick Building Name Plate

"The attached photo of Order of Malta Ambulance Corps door sign is from the 1940s/50s. It was the name plate on No 7 The Crescent, Limerick which was it's Headquarters. The Limerick Unit derived out of the re-establishment of the Irish Association of the Soverign Military Hospitaller Order of St John of Jerusalem of Rhodes and of Malta in 1934. The Irish Association undertook as it's charitable project the setting up of an ambulance corps throughout Ireland. The Order of Malta Ambulance Corps was established in 1938 and the Limerick Unit was founded in 1948. The SMOM has a most interesting history, the Hospitaller Order was established in 1113 in Jerusalem to render aid and assistance to pilgrims to the holy land. Down the centuries it held stronghold in Rhodes and later Malta. It's present day Worldwide HQ is in Rome. The head of the Order still has the title of Grand Master. The Order arrived in Ireland in 1174 with the arrival of the Normans under Strongbow. 1540 saw the Order dissolved by Henry VIII AND further by Elizabeth 1. 1934 the Soverign Order was 're established in Ireland and today continues its charitable works nationally and internationally. As the Limerick Unit celebrates its 70th anniversary in 2018 the Officers and members feel this copper (restored) door name plate is significant and historical as the unit is a well known group. Literally hundreds of Limerick people have been members down through the years but also through our involvement in numerous sporting, cultural and civic events."