Molly Doll tradition will see an offering to the sea in Waterford
Molly Doll 2023. Photo: Joe Evans
The traditional willow Molly Doll will be offered to the tea in Tramore this month in an age old Waterford custom.
The practice originated in Victorian times, when it was used to mark the end of the bathing season.
It also has ties to ‘Michaelmas’, a Christian celebration with signified the end of harvest and the beginning of autumn.
Traditionally in Tramore, women would have finished their work on the beach each year by constructing the seaweed draped doll, which was then paraded around the town to collect alms.
The doll was then sent into the sea in a simple ceremony.
This long-standing tradition has been kept alive in County Waterford, with T-Bay Surf Club now using the doll to signify the beginning of the surfing season in Tramore, and to mark the end of the annual Vitamin Sea festival.
Last year, the doll was crafted by local Cathy Hayden, who said: "I try to do something different every year. It's very versatile and you can do a lot with willow. It works well and its all natural material."
T-Bay surf club will offer the traditional Molly Doll to the sea as they surf it out of the bay on Sunday, September 22, at 5pm on the Prom in Tramore as part of the Vitamin Sea Festival programme.
