IT would appear that Northside city councillors have succeeded in getting the beloved Molly Malone statue moved north of the Liffey.
The tourist attraction at the bottom of Grafton Street has to be relocated to facilitate works on the new Luas line.
Northside councillors Nial Ring (Ind) and Mary Fitzpatrick (FF) had proposed that the iconic statue of the fabled Dublin figure be moved to its
“spiritual home
? on Moore Street.
“Molly should come home,
? Cllr Ring had said. “There is no doubt that given the long association and history of street trading in Moore Street and the surrounding areas, the Molly Malone statue is a most appropriate symbol of the rich street trading heritage.
?
The suggestion had been opposed by Southside politicians including Mannix Flynn, an Independent city councillor who represents the South East Inner City, and Kevin Humphreys, the Labour TD for Dublin South East.
“They can sing the famous song but they can’t have our statue,
? Cllr Flynn told Southside People recently.
“It is true that the statue has to be moved to accommodate the new Luas line but there is no way the Northside should get her.
?
Deputy Humphreys had added:
“Ms Malone had no association with Moore Street so they should stop trying to rewrite the history of Dublin.
?
However, last week, Cllrs Ring and Fitzpatrick said the possibility of the statue being moved to Moore Street was
“becoming a reality
? after a motion tabled by them was passed unanimously at a central area committee meeting.
“Some Southside councillors have expressed reservations about the move but this is not a Northside/Southside thing,
? Cllr Ring said.
“Molly has been stuck staring up Grafton Street for the past 25 years.
“It’s time she got a change of scenery and there is no better place for her than among her fellow
‘Molly Malones’ on Moore Street.
?
Cllr Ring claimed Cllr Flynn had pleaded for Molly to be moved just a few yards from her present position, as recommended by the City Council Public Art Advisory Group (PAAG), but this suggestion was rejected by councillors.
“Cllr Flynn was told in no uncertain terms that Molloy was wanted in Moore Street and that she was fed up looking up Grafton Street,
? Cllr Ring added.