Welsh Italians
 Boxer Joe Calzaghe
| |
| Regions with significant populations | |
|---|---|
| Swansea, Cardiff, South Wales Valleys | |
| Languages | |
| English, Welsh, Italian | |
| Religion | |
| Christian: Mostly Roman Catholic | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Italians |
Welsh Italians are citizens of Wales whose ancestry wholly or partly originates in Italy. Most Italian immigration to Wales took place in the 19th and early 20th centuries, with the largest number of migrants settling in Swansea, Cardiff and the South Wales Valleys.
History of Italian immigrants to Wales
Italian immigrants to Wales, mainly originating in the Apennine Mountains and in particular the town of Bardi, established a network of cafés, ice cream parlours and fish and chip shops in Wales from the 1890s onwards.[1] In the Rhondda Valley they became known as 'Bracchis' after an early café owner.[1] The brothers Frank and Aldo Berni, who started in business in Merthyr Tydfil, went on to found the Berni Inn chain.[1]
During the Second World War, Welsh-Italians without British citizenship were declared enemy aliens and a number were interned on the Isle of Man or in Canada. 50 Welsh Italians lost their lives in the sinking of the Arandora Star in 1940.[1]
Famous Welsh Italians
- Actor Victor Spinetti, Catherine Zeta Jones, Ivor Novello, Christian Bale, Clara Novello Davies
- Boxers Joe Calzaghe and Enzo Maccarinelli
- Chef Angela Hartnett
- Musician Pino Palladino
- Footballers Giorgio Chinaglia, David D'Auria, Donato and Daniel Nardiello
- Rugby players Robert and Peter Sidoli
References
See also
External links
- A South Wales male voice choir visit Bardi
- Wales Online feature on Italian immigration to Wales
- BBC Wales feature on Italian immigration to Wales
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