Latest news with #MollyMalone
Irish Independent
18 hours ago
- Business
- Irish Independent
Dublin City Council approves food hall use for vacant St Andrew's Church
City officials granted planning permission after concluding the food hall would comply with the zoning objective of the site and would not detract from the area's civic character. Fáilte Ireland will not be operating the food hall itself, but will instead press ahead with a plan to seek an experienced operator to lease the space out for that use. The statute of Molly Malone stands outside the well-known church in an area of Dublin city centre that has a high footfall of tourists. A recent inspection of the statue found that it was unstable with multiple broken fittings. Experts found that two pins holding the statue in place were destroyed. In a letter to Dublin City Council, Laura McCarthy from Fáilte Ireland had said: 'The proposed change of use for the premises has the potential to create a major centrally-based asset for the city, with the potential to inject cultural and economic value, which would benefit local residents, employees and all visitors, both domestic and foreign.' Ms McCarthy, manager of corporate services at Fáilte Ireland, pointed out that food tourism generates around €2bn for the Irish economy each year. 'In order to generate and sustain further economic opportunity and economic development, we need to create iconic food and drink experiences – the proposed change of use and redevelopment of St Andrew's would be the embodiment of that vision,' she said. 'It is envisaged that the proposed food hall will showcase the best of local and Irish produce within a very high-quality setting, which will not only reinvigorate but repurpose part of our capital city's historic building inventory.' Planning documents said the new food hall has the potential to generate 30 to 40 full and part-time jobs. The Swords-based Wright Group secured planning for a food hall at St Andrew's Church in 2019 through its Mink Fusion subsidiary but with the Covid-19 pandemic intervening, the firm did not proceed with the five-year planning permission. In a separate planning report lodged with the application by David Mulcahy Planning Consultants, it stated that the proposed new use 'will bring life back to this vacant building which is one of the most prominent buildings in the city'. ADVERTISEMENT Mr Mulcahy stated that 'the concept of a food/dining hall, which is essentially a permanent indoor market with associated dining facilities, is well established in most European cities and they are very popular for tourists, city residents and local employees'. He said that the emphasis will be on showcasing local produce, fresh where possible.
Irish Times
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Times
Molly minders: Why the famous Dublin statue is being protected from tourists
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. READ MORE 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.
Daily Mail
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Dublin council calls in guards to stop tourists touching breasts of Molly Malone's statue after claims the good-luck gesture is damaging her assets
A council has called in guards to stop tourists from touching the breasts of Molly Malone's statue after claims the gesture is damaging it. The bronze statue, which is a popular landmark for tourists in Dublin, has been a target for many visitors to the city. Tradition dictates that anyone who touches the statue's assets will have good luck. As a result, throughout the years, thousands of tourists have approached and groped her breasts. However, after a campaigner began to notice and trend, she has now taken it on herself to make sure the habit ends for good. Tilly Cripwell has called on Dublin City Council to raise the 1988 statue out of reach so people can no longer grope the metal body part. The student claimed she has seen tourists touch the statue's chest up to 60 times per hour and the the tradition has tarnished the likeness of the local folk hero. The council has now brought in stewards to stand by the statue to make sure tourists who want to get a closer look are stopped. Who was Molly Malone? Molly Malone is a legendary figure from Dublin folklore, famously featured in the song 'Cockles and Mussels'. She's often depicted as a beautiful fishmonger who tragically died young, and she's become a symbol of the city—even if there's no historical proof she actually existed. The song tells the story of a young woman who sold seafood on the streets of Dublin, crying 'Cockles and mussels, alive, alive, oh!' She was beloved but died young of a fever, and the song ends with her ghost still pushing her cart through the city. It's a bittersweet mix of charm and tragedy. A statue, crafted by Dublin artist Jeanne Rynhart, was unveiled on Grafton Street in 1988 as part of the city's Millennium celebrations, with Lord Mayor Ben Briscoe doing the honours. But in July 2014, Molly was moved to Suffolk Street outside the Tourist Information Office, giving up her old spot for the incoming Luas tracks. Every time a tourist tried to cop a feel of Dublin's most legendary bosom, one of the guards would firmly say: 'No touching please.' This is part of a week-long pilot scheme while bosses come up with a different way of protecting the site. The statue, by the late Irish sculptor Jeanne Rynhart, was unveiled on Grafton Street in 1988 before the construction of a tram line prompted a move to Suffolk Street, just over half a mile away, in 2014. The council has not discounted the possibility of relocating it once again, and has also mooted the possibility of rendering the bronze less accessible by installing a taller plinth or railings. But those considerations must be balanced against the expense involved and the need to maintain the sculpture as a safe tourist attraction, said the council. Norwegian tourist Anders Oustid, 42, told The Guardian said he doesn't think people should be stopped, and called it a 'fun gimmick', adding that 'It's good luck and apparently means that you'll get to come back to Dublin'. Mars Masana, 33, from Barcelona, who touched the cleavage on a previous visit, said: 'I suppose in Spain we would feel the same if people were touching such a statue all the time.' 17-year-old Elaja Declercq from Belgium obeyed the orders but regretted the decision saying that she understood the feelings that it was inappropriate but insisted that it was a tradition worth keeping. Campaigner Ms Cripwell previosuly told Good Morning Britain: 'I would like for her to be raised on a higher statue to symbolically and physically elevate her, and prevent people from clambering all over her.' But she faced backlash on social media, with people reminding the student that the model is 'a statue, not a real person'. 'Imagine a life so dull and empty that you start a campaign to move a statue because you think it's being touch inappropriately. It's not a real person,' one wrote on X. 'Oh please be quiet! It's a statue not a real person!' another said.
Irish Daily Mirror
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Daily Mirror
'I'd rather touch my wife's breasts' - public divided over Molly Malone stewards
Stewards stationed next to the Molly Malone statue to stop tourists from touching her bust left sightseers divided. The Irish Mirror went to Suffolk Street in Dublin on Tuesday and spoke with visitors about their thoughts on the new measures which kicked in on Monday. As part of a pilot programme which will run until the end of the week, the wardens will stand adjacent to the effigy of the famous fishmonger and intervene if any tourists go to feel her bust. Dianne Young from Texas said she completely supports the new rules and thinks it's 'perverted' that some rub her boobs. She told The Irish Mirror: 'I don't blame people for not wanting the statue to be touched. 'People shouldn't touch the statue, it's a work of art. I think it's wrong and if they have to put a railing around it, that's what you have to do.' Her brother Chris Young, who is from Columbus in Ohio, joked: 'Maybe, they could try and feel her bum but I don't think they'd be able to get to it through all that brass. Too much brass on the ass.' But Chris said he agreed with the measures and urged others to 'show a little class' and insisted 'there's no need' to do it. But Karl Heinz- Hierzegger said he's been to Ireland on more than 75 occasions and explained that every time he comes he pays a visit to the Molly Malone statue. He believes people should be able to touch the sculpture. He also rejects the assertion that it's 'perverted' and said it's done for luck. The German quipped: 'I would rather touch my wife's breasts.' He said it's similar to the statue of Juliet in Verona where tourists rub her breasts for luck. Meanwhile, Australian husband and wife Norm and Kathleen McCosker believe having stewards next to the statue was political correctness gone mad. They said before they jetted off to Ireland, they were told that they needed to rub her breasts for 'good luck'. When asked what she thought about the stewards, Kathleen said: 'It's overkill, it's breaking a tradition.' She added: 'We come from Australia and one of the things we were told to do when we were in Dublin was to go and touch Molly Malone's boob for luck.' Her husband Norm was told off by one of the stewards when he approached the statue and touched her breasts. When asked why he did it, Norm explained: 'Because it's good luck … but now, you're not supposed to touch it so how are you supposed to get good luck?' Also against the new rules was Rosalba Fernandez from Tenerife who said she wanted to touch the statue and didn't agree with the new rules. Meanwhile, an employee at a H&M store directly across from the Molly Malone statue said she believed tourists shouldn't be touching the statue but disagreed with hiring stewards. The young woman, who didn't want to be named, said: "I think there are better ways to protect the statue. "They should raise the statue, I think that would be a much better way to protect the statue because realistically who is going to climb up six feet to grope a statue." She added: 'Why spend the money (on stewards) when you get it raised once. It's going to end up costing more having stewards than just raising it." Dublin City Council Arts Officer Ray Yeates said the wardens were in place to have a "conversation" with people about touching Molly Malone. Speaking to BBC NI earlier this week, he said: "They're not guards or police, it's a gentle confrontation of the behaviour. "Some people say, and they have a point to make, that it's being touched inappropriately.' Mr Yates accepted that it was a"worldwide phenomenon that statues are touched or rubbed and it becomes a custom," but said some people have "made a good point where we're mimicking behaviour we don't want to see in public. 'It would be illegal in public, so why would we mimic it?" Rubbing the famous fishmonger's breasts for luck is believed to have been thought up by a cheeky tour guide in 2012. Since then, countless tourists and locals alike have groped the sculpture. But Dublin City Council now says the practice has led to the stature becoming discoloured particularly around the neckline. Meanwhile, Dublin City Historian in Residence Catherine Scuffil said evidence is growing that Molly Malone is actually real and not just a character in the famous Dublin song. She said there is evidence which points to her being from the Liberties. She also said she believes 'groping' the statue is not what the sculptor Jeanne Rynhart would have wanted and said people should give the statue more respect. Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news from the Irish Mirror direct to your inbox: Sign up here.
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Front row? Dublin orders tourists to leave statue's cleavage alone
Each time a tourist sidled up to the statue and reached for the most famous cleavage in Dublin, a voice called out: 'No touching please.' Two city council stewards stood vigil over the landmark on Tuesday to notify would-be gropers that Molly Malone was to be left alone. After years of supposedly bringing good luck to whomever touched the breasts, they were now off-limits. To reduce damage to the statue, and to protect the dignity of a Dublin symbol, city authorities have posted the stewards in a week-long pilot project while they ponder other ways to shield the bronze figure from tactile appreciation. 'I was here a few days ago and got to touch them then,' said Anders Oustid, 42, from Norway. 'I don't think they should stop people. It's a fun gimmick that you can come here and touch the boobs. It's good luck and apparently means that you'll get to come back to Dublin.' Mars Masana, 33, from Barcelona, had also touched the cleavage on a previous visit to the statue on Suffolk Street and was hesitant about the prohibition. 'I suppose in Spain we would feel the same if people were touching such a statue all the time.' Molly Malone – by many accounts a fictional 18th-century fishmonger's wife – is the subject of a ballad, known as 'cockles and mussels', that is an unofficial anthem for Ireland, sung at wedding, parties and sporting fixtures. The sculpture, by the artist Jeanne Rynhart, was first erected in 1988 and promptly labelled 'the tart with the cart' in reference to the cleavage and rumours that Molly sold more than fish. A creative tour guide is credited, or blamed, with inventing the story that touching her breasts would bring luck and a return trip to Ireland's capital. The result is discoloration where countless hands have passed – and indignation by some who consider it disrespectful. They include Tilly Cripwell, a music activist who last year launched a Leave Molly Alone campaign. Elaja Declercq, 17, from Belgium, obeyed, but regretted, the injunction to not touch. 'I understand some think it's inappropriate but it's a tradition.' Her two friends – Erasmus students who had come to film themselves singing the ballad – agreed. Ray Yeates, the city council's arts officer, said authorities were considering options, including leaving the statue in place and simply repairing the damage as needed, or erecting a fence, or moving it, perhaps indoors. The stewards' interactions with people this week will inform the final decision. Yeates told the BBC that while a 'worldwide phenomenon that statues are touched or rubbed' has become a custom, some people had noted that it mimicked undesirable behaviour. 'It would be illegal in public, so why would we mimic it?' Naomi Smith, 70, from Australia, was struck by the statue's revealing attire. 'It makes me cold just to look at her. She would have been awfully cold going around like this.'
