Who's Molly Malone?

Molly Malone is a beautiful fishmonger of folklore. She is a popular Irish song and is possibly the popular unofficial anthem of Dublin. According to the tale as told in the song, Molly Malone who sold her wares on the streets of Dublin died tragically young of a fever.

The historical figure of Molly has given rise to an urban legend. She has been depicted as a hawker by day and prostitute by night, and in other contrasting accounts as being one of the few female street-hawkers of the time to be chaste. However, there is almost no evidence of the song being based on a real woman from the 17th century or from any other time, despite claims of her birth and death records having been located. No real evidence connects any of the numerous Mary or Molly Malones of Dublin to the events of the song, which was only recorded sometime in the early 1880s, when it was published. It was composed and written by James Yorkston, of Edinburgh.

Add Comment

Report