Molly Malone’s makeover: Dublin City Council vows to restore iconic statue

The restoration will focus on correcting the tarnishing caused by years of tourists repeatedly touching the statue for ‘good luck’, particularly the more frequently handled areas.

The monument was first inaugurated in 1988 as a celebration of Dublin during the city’s millennium. It was initially built on Grafton Street, but during works on the LUAS in 2014, it was moved to Suffolk Street, where it has remained since following a restoration.

The statue has turned brass on the chest area after tourists began rubbing above her low-cut top "for luck." There have also been several occasions of vandalism over the years, all targeting the bust of the iconic statue.

As part of the effort to prevent future damage, Dublin City Council will also introduce a steward system on a trial basis.

This initiative is a direct response to the Leave Molly Malone Alone campaign, which highlighted the need to show more respect for the historic sculpture.

The campaign was spearheaded by singer-songwriter Tilly Cripwell, who was prompted to take action after seeing visitors groping the statue.

Her campaign raised awareness about the importance of preserving cultural landmarks and promoting respectful behaviour toward them, encouraging tourists to appreciate the statue’s significance without engaging in inappropriate physical actions.

Dublin City Council, well aware of Molly Malone’s symbolic importance to the city, has expressed its commitment to maintaining her dignity and integrity. The council is dedicated to ensuring the statue remains in pristine condition for generations to come.

Tilly Cripwell, the driving force behind the campaign, expressed her joy at the announcement: "This is a wonderful victory for Dublin’s heritage. Molly Malone deserves to be admired and respected.

"I’m thrilled that the Dublin City Council has taken action. I hope visitors will continue to appreciate her in a way that preserves her legacy and sets a positive example for future generations."

Cripwell also continues to advocate for elevating the statue onto a higher plinth to further protect it from future damage.

 Dublin statues have been vandalised many times over the years, with the most infamous incidents surrounding the bust of Luke Kelly — which has been vandalised several times, most recently in 2021.

* This article was originally published on Extra.ie.