When was 'Molly Malone' written'?
Also known as 'Cockles and Muscles' and 'In Dublin Fair City' 'Molly Malone' is a popular Irish song that was first published in 1876 in Boston, Massachusetts. It tells the story of a fictitious fishwife who pedalled her wares in Dublin before dying of a fever. Although its origin is unknown it could well have been adapted from two earlier songs that featured a character named Molly Malone, 'Widow Malone,' and 'Meet Me Miss Molly Malone'.
Was Molly Malone a real person?
There is no evidence that Molly Malone was a real person and at the time Molly was used as an abbreviation/alternative for Mary and Margaret and Malone has been a popular surname for centuries in Ireland. However in 1988 the Dublin Millennium Commission approved claims made for a Mary Malone, who died on 13 June 1699, to be recognised as the song's protagonist. Today in Dublin the 13 June is now known as 'Molly Malone Day'.
Did you know?
Artists who have recorded versions of 'Molly Malone' include The Dubliners, Heino, Danny Kaye, Pete Seeger,[Sinéad O'Connor, Johnny Logan, and U2.