MOLLY MALONE IS packed and ready to go. Almost.
Dublin’s most famous street-trader will be taking her cockles and mussels off the city’s streets soon as she takes a small break from her duties.
Passers-by today will have noticed that the statue is boarded up and no longer in view at the corner of Grafton Street.
The move is required to allow for Luas works as the new cross-city connection is being built.
A spokesperson for Luas Cross City told TheJournal.ie that Molly will be moved in stages – and at night time – because of her weight and size.
Plans are in place to remove her between Wednesday and Friday this week.
She will be taking a six-week break from the streets for some “extensive cleaning and repair”.
“Initial investigations showed some wear and tear,” the spokesperson explained. “A sign will go up at her usual spot to tell tourists that she’s just going off on a small break but that she will be reinstated at St Andrew Street (in front of the Fáilte Ireland tourist office) as soon as possible.”
The statue will be put back as close to her current spot once the Luas Cross City works are complete.
When the move was first mooted, some reports suggested that Molly would be following many of her fellow citizens to Australia.
Those plans never came to fruition and the city’s sweetheart won’t be crossing any borders.
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