Dragon of Shandon to return to the streets of Cork tonight

The Dragon Of Shandon parade will return for its 18th year tonight, Tuesday 31st of October 2023, with thousands of people young and old expected to take to the streets.

The 36-foot Dragon, made entirely out of tape, will be escorted by her legion of loyal ghouls, beasts, misfits and demons to celebrate the ancient tradition of Samhain.

The free parade for will begin at 7.00 pm on Church Street and travel down the length of Shandon Street, North Main Street, Castle Street, Cornmarket Street, finishing with a series of performances on the Coal Quay.

The creative force behind the event, Cork Community Art Link (CCAL), held a series of workshops prior to the event, from float- and prop-making to skeleton puppeteering and face-painting, and ran a GoFundMe page which has raised over €2200.

Hundreds of participants are involved in the parade, with 23 community groups creating floats, costumes, and performances.

CCAL Comic Kids, Printmaking, Puppeteering, Drama and Volunteer groups are taking part in the parade, which features French co-operative La Bergerie and Australian theatre company Curious Legends.

Also participating are Blackpool Community Access Programme, National Learning Network, Sushia Inclusive Arts, Joan Denise Moriarty School of Dance, Circus Factory, Cobh Animation Team, Cork Ukrainian Choir, Buttera Exchange Band, Slí Danú, Tribe Dance Academy, North Monastery Co-Education, UCC Media Studies, Mars & Diane, Mexican Community in Cork, Cork Life Centre, Vicki & Dancers, Cork Volunteer Centre and The Kabin Studio.