Famous for the Superstition that "Touching the Chest Brings Good Luck"
Dedicated Staff and Other Measures Prove Ineffective
The famous "Molly Malone Statue" in Dublin, Ireland, is seeking ways to prevent discoloration caused by tourists excessively touching the chest area of the female statue. On August 31 (local time), the British Daily Mail reported that the Dublin City Council is considering installing flower beds around the statue's pedestal to protect it.
The famous "Molly Malone Statue" in Dublin, Ireland, is seeking ways to prevent discoloration caused by tourists excessively touching the chest area of the female statue. Pixabay
Erected in 1988, the Molly Malone statue has become a symbol of Dublin, gaining fame due to the local superstition that "touching the chest brings good luck." Created by artist Jeanne Rynhart, the statue is based on the legend of a fishmonger’s wife who sold fish in 18th-century Ireland. In the past, a tour guide fabricated a story that touching the chest of the Molly Malone statue would not only bring good fortune but also ensure a return visit to Dublin. Since then, countless tourists have touched the statue’s chest and taken photos as proof. As a result, the chest area has become discolored, and Dublin residents have demanded action from authorities, arguing that a sculpture symbolizing the city is being damaged. Ultimately, the Dublin City Council is reportedly considering installing large flower beds near the statue to completely block access.
Previously, the city council attempted to prevent tourists from touching the statue’s chest by raising the statue on a pedestal or by assigning dedicated staff to monitor and stop tourists from touching the chest. When staff approached and asked visitors not to touch the statue, most tourists complied. However, when staff were not present, large crowds would once again gather around the statue, touching the chest and taking photos, causing the problem to repeat.
A spokesperson for the Dublin City Council told local media, "We are exploring other ways to protect the statue," adding, "The most likely method is the installation of flower beds. We plan to observe the effectiveness of flower beds placed around the statue’s pedestal." The spokesperson also mentioned, "Afterward, we may consider additional measures, such as relocating the statue entirely or placing it on a higher pedestal." However, moving the statue to a different location or raising it on a pedestal could be costly, so these options would likely be a last resort.
Juliet Statue in Italy Also Shows Discoloration for Similar Reasons
Not only the Molly Malone statue, but also the statue of Juliet in Verona, Italy, has discoloration in certain areas for similar reasons. ANSA
Not only the Molly Malone statue, but also in Italy, there are statues with discoloration in certain areas for similar reasons. In Verona, northern Italy, the setting of William Shakespeare’s "Romeo and Juliet," there is a bronze statue of Juliet. Last year, a large hole appeared in the right chest area of this bronze statue. Like the Molly Malone statue, it suffered from excessive touching by people.
There was a rumor that touching the right chest of the Juliet statue would bring true love, and the hands of countless tourists from around the world eventually created a hole in the statue. The original bronze Juliet statue, created in 1972, developed a hole for the same reason. In 2014, Verona authorities replaced it with the current replica. However, as the same problem occurred again after just ten years, local residents are now calling for special measures to be taken.
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