The history of Molly Malone

In Dublin’s fair city / Where the girls are so pretty / I first set my eyes on sweet Molly Malone are words most people hear during their time in Dublin. They are the first three lines of the traditional folk song Molly Malone known throughout Ireland and the world over. The song is popularly performed by the Dubliners and is known as the unofficial anthem of Dublin.

Molly Malone statue

The song chronicles the story of legendary figure Molly Malone. The legend states that Molly Malone was a fishmonger by day and a prostitute by night during the late 17th century. The song states that she died of a fever at a young age. The legend of Molly Malone is celebrated throughout Ireland but is mostly recognized in Dublin. Located on Suffolk St. in Dublin, Ireland, the Molly Malone statue was unveiled in 1988 by Lord Mayor of Dublin, Ben Briscoe.

There is great debate over whether or not Molly Malone was a real person. “Some stories say she wasn’t a real person but most stories say she was a real person,” said local bus driver and tour guide Michael Ryan. There is no evidence that Malone was a real person despite many people born of the same name during that time period. Despite the lack of evidence, the Dublin Millennium Commission supported claims that Malone was a real person who died on June 13, 1699. “It’s very impossible that someone would make up a myth about a person, a simple person selling cockles and mussels. If you’re gonna hear a fantastic story you wouldn't think ‘oh lets dream up a character selling fish, you know,’” said Irish tourist Pascal Frances. Most of the citizens of Dublin know the legend or at least the song and will sing upon request.

Local bus driver and tour guide Michael Ryan

Most of the Irish people believe there is little to no significance to the story. “It’s just a cultural thing here in Ireland related to the simple or noble things of people doing such a simple task and then the character, you know. We relate to that. We like characters,” said Frances. The statue has become a popular tourist attraction, while the song is a cultural phenomenon for the Irish people.

Irish tourist Pascal Frances

Despite being an Irish legend, the song was supposedly published in Boston, Massachusetts in 1883. According to Irish Independent (Dublin), the music hall style quality of the song is credited to Scottish composer, James Yorkston, who is said to have composed the song. In 2010, a similar version of the song was found in an 18th century English book Apollo’s Medley. This version of the song describes Malone as living in the fishing village of Howth and is more provocative than Yorkston’s version. The song became popular in the 1980s and thus began the legend of Molly Malone. “I think that's the origin of her whole thing, and they just made a statue in celebration of that old Irish song,” said Orla O’Shanassy a Trinity tour guide. Though popular with the locals, O’Shanassy said the story is not taught in schools.

Trinity tour guide Orla O’Shanassy

Hundreds of thousands of people visit the statue every year, and it is a popular stop on Irish tour buses. Irish sculptor Jeanne Rynhart constructed the statue, choosing to depict Malone in traditional 17th century clothing. The statue shows Malone in a low-cut dress pushing a cart of fish and mussels. “The night time job is why she’s dressed the way she is, I suppose,” said Ryan. Her low-cut dress reveals her breasts, which if touched is thought to bring good luck. Her breasts have been touched so much that the bronze has tarnished and has become shinier than the rest of the statue’s body. Due to her appearance, most Dubliners have nicknames for Malone. “For those reasons, we call her the tart with the cart, the ole trollop with the scallops, and the dish with the fish,” said Ryan.

The statue was moved from its original position on the bottom of Grafton street to the front of St. Andrews Church on Suffolk Street. The statue was moved to facilitate the Luas Cross-City works in July of 2014. The movement has not affected the amount of visitors the statue receives, demonstrating the fascination for the legend of Molly Malone. June 13 is now known as Molly Malone Day to commemorate Malone’s death.

Above is a video of one of the Do Dublin bus drivers singing Molly Malone.