Ray Yeates
Ray Yeates is the Arts Officer for Dublin City Council, where he has been actively involved in addressing community concerns regarding public art and cultural heritage. Recently, he has been in the news for implementing a pilot scheme aimed at discouraging inappropriate touching of the iconic Molly Malone statue, highlighting the balance between public traditions and respect for cultural symbols.
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Recent news mentions
Yeates heads the council’s arts office, which is tasked with developing a thriving creative ecosystem for Dublin.
‘We meet property developers all the time now’ – The Irish Times
Ireland· 2026-03-07
Council arts officer Ray Yeates discussed the divided opinions on preventing tourists from touching the statue.
Flower-bed barriers to be placed around Molly Malone statue to discourage tourists from touching breasts – The Irish TimesIreland· 2025-07-23
Ray Yeates, the Arts Officer for Dublin City Council, said stewards were in place to have a 'conversation' with people about touching Molly Malone.
Stewards brought in to stop 'groping'
United Kingdom· 2025-05-05
