The Tart with the Cart

In Dublin's fair city, one the most well known and loved icons of Ireland, Molly Malone, can be found still pushing her cart on Grafton Street. ... more

by Norma Brock

Title

The Tart with the Cart

Artist

Norma Brock

Medium

Photograph - Photography

Description

In Dublin's fair city, one the most well known and loved icons of Ireland, Molly Malone, can be found still pushing her cart on Grafton Street. She's been the unofficial mascot of Dublin since 1988, and is rarely seen without crowds of tourists beside her. She is lovingly referred to by locals as "the tart with the cart".

The song "Cockles and Mussels" (also known as "In Ireland's Fair City") tells the tale of this beautiful fishmonger who plied her trade on the Dublin streets, but who died a tragic young death. Whether based on legend or truth, young Molly Malone grew up in the 17th century to become a fishmonger hawking her wares by day and a prostitute by night. In a more family friendly version, she is also known as one of the rare chaste female street-hawkers of her day. Whether Molly Malone was indeed a real woman, or just the embodiment of many young Dublin girls, her name and image will live on in song and story.

Uploaded

March 1st, 2013