A Brief History Of Dublins Mysterious Molly Malone

Molly Malone is the enigmatic heroine of the famous song of the same name, widely recognised as Dublin’s unofficial anthem. Immortalised in bronze during the 1988 Dublin Millennium celebrations, the Molly Malone statue stands in the heart of the city’s historic Georgian Quarter. Though regularly upheld as a traditional Irish ballad, it’s not known where the song originated or if Molly Malone ever existed.

According to the lyrics of the undeniably catchy tune – also known as Cockles and Mussels – Molly was a young and beautiful fishmonger who sold her yield from a cart on the streets of Dublin. The song’s final verse states that after she died of a fever, she began haunting the city.

Although set in Ireland’s capital and beloved by many Dubliners, the song was originally published in the USA in 1876. While this version might be based on an older Irish folk ballad, cultural academics have argued that the melody and tragicomic lyrics are more akin to the music-hall style that was popular in Britain during the Victorian era. Indeed, in 1884, a version attributed to the Scottish composer James Yorkston was published in London.

To complicate matters further, in 2010, an earlier mention of Molly Malone was found in an 18th-century book of songs called Apollo’s Medley, printed in England in 1790. This more risqué version describes Molly as living in Howth, a fishing village northeast of Dublin. It recounts the singer’s yearning to share her bed, contributing to widespread speculation that the song’s leading lady worked as both a street vendor and a prostitute.

Created by the Irish sculptor Jeanne Rynhart, the statue depicts Molly in traditional but revealing 17th-century dress, hinting at her supposed job as a part-time prostitute and leading the bronze figure to be colloquially christened The Tart with the Cart. Although there’s no definitive proof that she was an actual person, the buxom statue has gone on to become one of Dublin’s most recognisable monuments, attracting hordes of tourists daily. Originally erected at the bottom of Grafton Street, it was moved to the adjoining Suffolk Street in 2014 to make way for the extension of the Luas tram system.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.