For years tourists have been told it’s a tradition in Dublin to rub Molly Malone’s breasts – “for luck”. Something that’s news to residents of the capital.
And it is causing damage – not just to the look of the piece but also to its stability and that has prompted Dublin City Council to take action. Every day this week “Molly minders” were at the statue with one job – to stop tourists climbing up to touch her.
The metal statue made by sculptor Jeanne Rynhart in 1988 shows all the signs of constant friction – the patina has rubbed off her breasts leaving them gleaming in the sunshine, a contrast to the dull finish on the rest of the near life-size figures.
But that’s been obvious for at least a decade, what hasn’t been so visible is the damage people clambering up on Molly is doing to the structure of the piece and increase her stability is now in place.
Sharp drop in number of asylum applications in Ireland last year
Met Éireann issues snow and rain warnings for four counties as Storm Goretti approaches Ireland
Ireland will miss emissions-cut target by half, says Minister for Climate Darragh O’Brien
Trump says US to get millions of barrels of oil from Venezuela
Irish Times Dublin editor Olivia Kelly explains why Dublin City Council has moved to protect the statue and what will happen next.
Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by John Casey.
