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One of Ireland’s largest tourist attractions might finally receive the justice she deserves.
The Molly Malone Statue in Dublin has been a well-loved and visited statue since her first appearance there in 1988.
Molly is widely loved, especially as she is one of the seven out of the two hundred statues across Dublin that depicts a woman. But what is Molly’s actual story, and why did she earn her infamous spot on Suffolk Street?
The story of Molly Malone has never been a finalised one as she is believed to have originated within Irish folktale. Many believe Molly is based on a real woman who was a fishmonger along the streets of Dublin.
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The woman suddenly fell ill and passed in 1699; however, she continued to haunt the streets and the people of Dublin for years after.
Molly became most known for her song ‘Sweet Molly Malone’ as it loosely tells the story of her life. Many resonated with Molly as her story surrounds a working class woman who died young and continued to keep her story alive through Irish folklore and culture.
Molly was often referred to as “the tart with the cart”, which is interesting due to the statue’s recent commentary.
Over the last decade, tourists visiting Dublin and surrounding areas have begun to approach Molly with the intent to rub her breasts, to the point where the bosom of the bronze statue is now fully gold.
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This “tradition” began in 2014, twenty-six years after the statue was made, when a tour guide claimed to a tourist group that it is “a tradition amongst Dubliner’s to touch her breasts” and that it will bring them “good luck”.
This tradition is not only made up but if anything, is vastly inappropriate.
When you walk past the Molly Malone statue, there is rarely, if ever, a Dubliner walking passed with the intention of receiving good luck by touching her breasts. It’s always tourists, as that’s what they’ve been told to believe, and it would make a “funny” picture.
Over the last few months, we have seen many Dubliners come forward, including one busker, Tilly Cripwell, who regularly works near the statue, asking for Molly to be elevated to prevent tourists from touching her breasts and acting in a provocative manner towards her.
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Dublin City Council is now “strongly considering” the request to raise the statue and to also include a historical plaque explaining Molly’s history and legacy.
Over the last week, we have seen the Council act and hire multiple stewards to patrol the Molly Malone statue to prevent tourists from groping her.
To touch one of the only female statues in Dublin, a woman rooted in Irish culture and folklore in a sexual way for jokes and “luck” completely diminishes her story.
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It is also one of the many examples that people believe women’s bodies are up for ogling and for touching without consent, not a great example to set for young men out there.
As Tillt Cripwell shared: “When I see men and women touching the Molly Malone statue, their kids are looking at them. What example is this setting? Why is it a part of Irish culture?”