World famous statue Molly Malone was hoisted away with her wheelbarrow from Grafton Street last night to make way for the cross-city Luas project.

The iconic bronze sculpture is undergoing a’makeover’ getting repairs and cleaning by a bronze specialist for next six weeks.

Gráinne Mackin, director of communications for Luas cross-city project, said initially the plan was to move Molly and her wheelbarrow separately.

“We thought we’d have to do it in two pieces but we managed to do the two together,” she said.

Ms Mackin said the statue was moved onto the back of a flat-bed truck about 12.30 this morning.

“The lift went very smoothly. We’re hoping to have her back by mid-June,” she said.

More than 20 people were involved in the move, which included conservation, bronzing, lifting and transport specialists.

Ms Mackin said it was an opportunity for restore the statue from natural wear and tear from being exposed to the elements since 1988.

She said moving the plinth could take up to a week.

When she returns, she will have a temporary home outside the tourist office in the former St Andrew’s Church on nearby Suffolk Street.

The Luas project, due to be finished in 2017, is an extension of the Green line that will link with the Red services.

The 5.6km line from St Stephen’s Green to Broombridge in Cabra.