Most Famous Ghosts: The Ghost of Molly Malone - (DUBLIN IRELAND)

Molly Malone was a fishmonger and part-time prostitute who plied her trade in the Trinity College area (thus the statue's nickname "The Tart with the Cart") and was a pseudonym for Charles II's mistress. Molly Malone's story begins in Dublin, the capital city of Ireland and ended in Dublin city 300 years ago, on the 12 June 1699 and her statue has been a part of Dublin's charm since 1988. Molly's monument is sited at the end of Grafton street just around from St Andrew's Church where she was baptised and also the area where she plied her trades.

A popular song, which was written by James Yorkson based on ancient legend and folklore is the unofficial anthem of Dublin City, by supporters of International Rugby and by the Dublin GAA, "Molly Malone";also known as "Cockles and Mussels" or "In Dublin's Fair City", describes Molly's life:

THE GHOST OF MOLLY MALONE

Cockles and Mussels, or In Dublin's Fair City

In Dublin's Fair City
Where the girls are so pretty
I first set my eyes on sweet Molly Malone
As she wheel'd her wheel barrow
Through streets broad and narrow
Crying cockles and mussels alive, alive o!

Chorus

She was a fishmonger
But sure 'twas no wonder
For so were her father and mother before
And they each wheel'd their barrow
Through streets broad and narrow
Crying cockles and mussels alive, alive o!

Chorus

She died of a fever
And no one could save her
And that was the end of sweet Molly Malone
But her ghost wheels her barrow
Through streets broad and narrow
Crying cockles and mussels alive, alive o!

　Alive, alive o!, alive, alive o!
Crying cockles and mussels alive, alive o!

As the famous song suggests, sweet Molly Malone was a fishmonger who pushed her wheelbarrow from the Liberties to Grafton Street calling out "Cockles and Muscles" along her way. At night, Molly changed her attire and appeared in a Basque, fish-net tights, stilettos and a very revealing dress, looking for clients. It is said that the students of Trinity College were regular customers of Molly's.

A deadly fever claimed Molly's life and she was found lying on the street during that Summer evening on the 12th June, 1699. Her face appeared to be finally at peace after her short and tragic life and her remains were brought to The Church of St John (off Fishamble Street) where her sorrowful parents, friends and relatives said goodbye to 26 year old Molly.

As the years passed by Molly was never forgotten in her native city, Dublin and young Molly Malone and her ghost is believed to still roam Dublin's busy Moore Street fish market today. On dusky evenings you may still hear the eerie sound of a handcart traversing Dublin's cobbled streets, wheeled 'tis said by the unquiet spirit of Molly Malone. Molly is commemorated in a wonderful statue designed by Jeanne Rynhart and is known colloquially as "The Tart With The Cart," "The Trollop With The Scollops" and "The Dish With The Fish. For more detailed information about this famous Irish ghost go to www.dublintours.ie.

Molly Malone was interred in St John's Churchyard closing the chapter on her short life. Some people believe she was buried in St Andrew's Church and the historical battle still rages.

DUBLIN IRELAND