Molly Malone - Human Interest Story

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MOLLY MALONE

Most Americans and other visitors to Ireland will have heard of Molly Malone, or at least know the lyrics to the popular song about her. However, just in case you don‘t know the song, you are bound to see her statue in Dublin when you visit, so here are the lyrics:

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 a-live O!

A-live a-live O! A-live a-live O!

Crying cockles and mussels alive a-live O!

She was a fishmonger and sure it was 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 a-live O!

A-live a-live O! A-live a-live O!

Crying cockles and mussels alive a-live O!

She died of a fever and no one could save her

And that was the end of sweet Molly Malone

Now her ghost wheels her barrow through streets

broad and narrow

Crying cockles and mussels alive a-live O!

A-live a-live O! A-live a-live O!

Crying cockles and mussels alive a-live O!

A-live a-live O! A-live a-live O!

Crying cockles and mussels alive a-live O!

This song, known as ―Molly Malone,‖ ―Cockles and Mussels,‖ or ―In Dublin‘s Fair City‖ has become so popular that it‘s known as the unofficial anthem of Dublin! The statue of Molly Malone was erected in 1987, and dedicated in 1988 by the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Alderman Ben Briscoe, during Dublin‘s millennium celebration, June 13th became celebrated as Molly Malone Day—an official holiday.

So is Molly Malone‘s story fact or fiction? Myth or not, it is clear that her reputation, or legend, is adored by most people in the area. As I think back to looking at the statue and how she appeared, I can almost hear her sing out those famous words, ―Cockles and mussels, alive, alive O!‖

Molly Malone is a human interest story I could not leave alone, so now for a new take on Molly Malone! This version of her story is ours, inspired by so many other tales and the love for such a heartfelt story about a woman taken so early in life. The tales makes you wonder whether she had a happy ending, so if this version of the story is not already written, then it should be!

Who was Molly Malone? Was she genuine or a legend? The statue that sits on the corner of Grafton Street and the stories you read certainly make you want to believe that this reportedly beautiful young girl was as real as you and me. She was reported to be sweet, bringing grace and sunshine to the lives she touched and gladness to the hearts of all who knew her. A small frail

young girl with long light-red hair, she was a fishmonger like her parents, but she had a smile to light her way! Yet some said she led two lives—one by day and one by night. Was that jealousy or fact? You decide for yourself.

Who‘s to know which story is true about Molly Malone—was she chaste or a lady of the evening? But most will agree that she is one of the most famous people in Dublin‘s history. Was she Fact or Fiction?

If you have not seen this statue, pay close attention to the details. She is well-endowed and the cleavage shown leaves little to the imagination. This does not seem to embarrass anyone because everyone loved this hard-working young woman!

Please watch for my next blog to finish this great story of Molly Malone.