Advocates Urge Public to Cease Inappropriately Touching Dublin's Iconic Molly Malone Statue
In an effort to shield the beloved Dublin statue of Molly Malone, a student activist has rallied to put a stop to the indecent groping of the iconic figure. Tilly Cripwell, a 23-year-old Briton studying languages at Trinity College and a budding singer-songwriter, has tirelessly campaigned against the inappropriate behavior of tourists and passersby.
Busking near the statue of Molly Malone, a fictional fishmonger who's the subject of the city's unofficial anthem, Cripwell observed the growing trend of selfie-seekers grope her bronze breasts, believing it could bring them luck.
"The daily & boisterous groping & excessive touch just levels up beyond my patience," says Cripwell. This behavior, she alleges, is largely seen among men but also observed among women. She recalls a particular instance involving French tourists, who mimicked groping her after groping the statue. Cripwell argues that this behavior sets a poor example for societal standards.
To remedy the issue, Cripwell proposed various solutions such as raising the statue on a pedestal similar to male statues, repatinating the statue to remove the discoloration on her breasts, and adding a plaque explaining the statue's history.
Launched in 2020, #LeaveMollyMaloneAlone has gained momentum, with Dublin City Council expressing support for change but not implementing any immediate measures. Instead, they have encouraged tour guiding companies to discourage participants from touching the statue.
To draw further attention to the issue, Cripwell has written an alternate rendition of the famous Molly Malone song. It sensitively addresses the repetitive groping, which has caused the statue to lose its initial charm.
Running her campaign for over a year, Cripwell acknowledges that the struggle can be tiring as she observes up to 60 people touch Molly Malone every hour during a busy day. Nonetheless, she remains persistent in her mission to protect the city's cultural icon.
"Tilly Cripwell, while busking near Dublin's travel destination and home of the statue of Molly Malone, a fictional fishmonger, has been moved to action due to the growing trend of disrespectful tourists touching and groping the statue's breasts. In her quest to change this, Cripwell has suggested multiple solutions, such as placing the statue on a pedestal, repainting it, and adding a plaque to educate visitors about Molly Malone's historical significance. Her campaign, titled #LeaveMollyMaloneAlone, has garnered support from Dublin City Council, though immediate action has yet to be taken. In an effort to raise more awareness, Cripwell has even penned a more sensitive version of the Molly Malone anthem to address the inappropriate behavior."
