The ballad emerged in late 19th century Dublin, with its first published version appearing around 1884, attributed to James Yorkston. The song tells the poignant tale of a young fishmonger who sold her wares from a wheelbarrow through the streets of Dublin before dying young of a fever. While historians debate whether Molly was based on a real person, she has become an iconic symbol of Dublin itself. The song gained international popularity during the Irish diaspora and became an unofficial anthem of Dublin.

In 1988, the city commemorated Molly with a bronze statue on Grafton Street as part of Dublin’s millennium celebrations. The statue, affectionately known by locals as “The Tart with the Cart,” has become a popular tourist attraction. The song continues to resonate in Irish culture and is regularly performed at sporting events, in pubs, and at gatherings worldwide.