Cork Dragon of Shandon Takes to the Streets

By News Editor Cormac McCarthy

The annual Dragon of Shandon parade returned once again to the streets of Cork for its 18th Halloween celebration since its inception in 2006.

Described by the organization as “Re-emerging from the underworld, the 36-foot Dragon made by the hands of the Cork City community will once again prowl the streets escorted by her legion of loyal ghouls, beasts, misfits and spooky creatures to celebrate the ancient tradition of Samhain in a thrilling nighttime parade and Finale Show attracting thousands of spectators, young and old, to Cork City on the 31st of October.”

The parade is a voluntary and contribution-funded event organized by Cork local community groups such as Suisha Inclusive Arts, Blackpool Community Access Program and National Learning Network. The procession itself drew thousands of spectators to the streets of Cork on Tuesday evening with the dragon being lead all the way from Shandon Street to outside the library on Grand Parade. The 36-foot-long dragon requires nearly 20 operators and was accompanied by over 500 ghosts and ghouls as it made its way through the city streets.