The History of Dublin's Famous Molly Malone Song and Statue

Discover the history and story of Molly Malone, a young woman who supposedly sold her fish on the streets of Dublin, Ireland, and became a famous symbol of the city.

She's celebrated in Dublin's favorite folk song and with her very own statue.

Here in America, we have a lot of cultural symbols that represent who we are as a nation, like The Star Spangled Banner, the American flag, the Statue of Liberty, and the bald eagle. These are precious objects that represent our identity, values, and history as a nation, and our hearts fill with pride for our nation when we see them on display.

As Irish Americans, we have double the cultural symbols to show who we are and where we come from. I wish to celebrate one of those symbols today.

Molly Malone is an important figurehead of Irish culture, and I’m excited to unpack her history and significance for you today, so we can honor our heritage together.

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The Story of Molly Malone

If you're Irish, there’s a high probability you’ve heard the lilting melody of the song “Molly Malone” before. This culturally significant tune tells the story of a woman who sells fish in Dublin. As the lyrics of the song state, Molly’s beauty caught the eye of the songwriter as she sold fish in the streets.

She was shouting “Alive, alive, oh,” which was a common refrain that fishmongers (people who sold fish for food in the streets) would shout to signify the freshness of their stock. 

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As the song goes, she came from an entire family of fishmongers, so Molly was carrying on her family’s history by selling cockles and mussels. At the time, fishmongers would sell fish out of wheelbarrows that they would push through the streets to be accessible to and interactive with their customers.

In the end of the song, Molly passes away. We're told that she dies of a fever, and noone could save her. However, the songwriter promotes the legend by saying that she continues to roam the streets of Dublin selling fish out of her wheelbarrow. This cultural story has continued throughout history, and Molly’s ghost is still rumored to be wandering the streets of Dublin, selling fish as a street vendor.

Origins of the Song “Molly Malone”

“Molly Malone” was written by a man named James Yorkston in Edinburgh, Scotland in 1884. It was first produced in London, and was originally meant to be a comic song.

However, the song was much appreciated in Dublin, and was passed down in Ireland as a folk tune and is now a symbol of Irish heritage.

It is also known under the names “In Dublin’s Fair City” and “Cockles and Mussels,” with both phrases being prominent lyrics of the song.

It is difficult to know the true origins of the character and what inspirations Yorkston may have had.

For example, there is a songbook from the 1700’s called “Apollo’s Medley” that was discovered in the last decade that actually showed an earlier version of a song about a character named Molly Malone. The lyrics were different, but the character in this song also lives in a fishing town in Ireland.

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There are several other versions that have been discovered and noted throughout history, indicating that Molly Malone is not just the character of one song, but rather a cultural figurehead shown in art throughout Irish history.

She does seem to maintain a similar character and story throughout all the media, so each song merely indicates another dimension of her as a person, and as a representation of Irish culture.

There is an ongoing debate about whether this song was originally created to honor or mock Irish culture, since it was not created by Irish people.

But either way, it has been used with pride by Irish communities around the world ever since it was first produced.

Was Molly Malone Real?

Molly Malone, has gained international fame in the past 130 years, but her origins remain a bit of a mystery. Historians have tried to find the real historical Molly Malone, and some believe she was actually a real person. 

There have been a few contenders, but the closest was a woman named Mary Malone. The name Mary was the predecessor of the name Molly, and this woman, who has historical records of living in Dublin, passed away in 1699. Molly is also sometimes a shortened version of Margaret.

We may never know if there truly was a beautiful fishmonger called Molly Malone in Dublin. But her spirit is definitely felt roaming the streets of Dublin's fair city.

The Dublin Millennium Commission, a group appointed to celebrate the founding of Dublin by the Vikings 1000 years previously, officially appointed Mary Malone from 1699 as their “official” Molly Malone, and used her as their symbol of remembrance.

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Historical Significance for Irish Culture

This song “Molly Malone” is one of Dublin’s cultural markers. Many call it the unofficial anthem of Dublin, and covers of it have been recorded by many Irish folk singers and bands.

Here's how the lyrics go:

"In Dublin's fair city
Where the girls are so pretty
I first set my eyes on sweet Molly Malone
As she wheeled her wheelbarrow
Through streets broad and narrow
Crying, "Cockles and mussels, alive, alive, oh!"

Alive, alive, oh
Alive, alive, oh
Crying, "Cockles and mussels, alive, alive, oh"

She was a fishmonger
And sure 'twas no wonder
For so were her father and mother before
And they both wheeled their barrows
Through streets broad and narrow
Crying, "Cockles and mussels, alive, alive, oh

Alive, alive, oh
Alive, alive, oh
Crying, "Cockles and mussels, alive, alive, oh

She died of a fever
And no one could save her
And that was the end of sweet Molly Malone
But her ghost wheels her barrow
Through streets broad and narrow
Crying, "Cockles and mussels, alive, alive, oh

Alive, alive, oh
Alive, alive, oh
Crying, "Cockles and mussels, alive, alive, oh

Alive, alive, oh
Alive, alive, oh
Crying, "Cockles and mussels, alive, alive, oh."

Public Domain in Ireland and US

The Statue of Molly Malone in Dublin

In 1988, The Dublin Millennium Commission unveiled a  new statue of Molly Malone in Dublin. They also designated June 13th as “Molly Malone Day."

This statue was created by the Irish bronze sculptor Jeanne Rynhart, who has a studio in West Cork. Her beautiful sculpture, represents Dublin's favorite fishmonger, Molly Malone wearing a 17th century dress, with a somewhat revealing top. Dubliners are very proud of this statue and often jokingly call it 'the tart with the cart.'

Jeanne Rynhart's other famous sculpture is that of Annie Moore, the first passenger admitted to America through Ellis Island, with her two brothers. That statue is located in Cobh in County Cork.

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Originally it was positioned at the bottom of Grafton Street opposite Trinity College, but she was moved to Suffolk Street nearby in 2014, when the routes for the Dublin tram system were being extended. 

This somewhat buxom bronze statue of Molly Malone is one of Dublin's most visited and photographed tourist attractions. 

People in Dublin Ireland celebrate June 13th by bringing flowers to the statue of Molly Malone as a symbol of her cultural significance.

I'd love to hear from you: What is Molly Malone’s significance to you?

Have you ever visited the famous statue of Molly Malone in Dublin?

Did you already know the song, or are you going to go learn it now?

Thanks for reading my ramblings about dear old Molly Malone.