the dome during the 60s and 70s, which completed the construction work of the church. The same church was given the title of Arch parish church by a decree of the Archbishop of Malta on 22 August 2015, the eve of the titular feast of Dingli. The feast of the Assumption in Dingli is celebrated on the first Sunday after 15 August. The titular statue of Our Lady in the parish is the fifth one in the island, made by Anton Busuttil in 1861. The statue is carved in wood and is used in a procession on the day of the feast each year carried by 8 statue bearers from the parish. The statue was restored twice: in 1934 and 1977. Throughout the rule of the Order of Saint John, Dingli was considered to be safe from corsair attacks because it was impossible for pirates to land in the area due to the Dingli Cliffs. The village began to see more development after the mid-20th century where the population doubled from 2,000 into the 21st century. Telephone service was introduced in private homes, and public transport began to reach the village itself instead of stopping at Rabat, although as of March 2017 no night buses actually go into Dingli, and inhabitants must stop at Rabat. Education Until the early 20th century, it was difficult to send children to school, since boys used to work in the fields while girls helped in the domestic work. This changed over time, and today everyone goes to school, on both primary and secondary levels. Some continue their studies on post-secondary and tertiary levels, from where they can attain a doctorate in their field of study. Notable people Dingli was the birthplace of several eminent personalities, including: Dun Xand Cortis, folklore pioneer and author Francis Ebejer, playwright and author Walter Ebejer, Dominican friar who was ordained Bishop of a diocese in Brazil Ġużè Abela, notary and Minister of Finance Ian Borg, advocate and Minister of Malta Government Main streets in Dingli Triq Ġużè Ellul Mercer Triq il-Buskett (Buskett Road) Triq il-Kbira (Main Street) Triq ir-Rabat (Rabat Road) Triq San Rokku (St. Roque Street) Triq il-Parroċċa (Parish Street) References Notes External links Dingli Local Council Dingli Youth Local Council The official website of the Parish of Dingli Towns in Malta Local councils of Malta