Cork – In Photos dot Org

Celtic Tiger Cranes and the Elysian Rising

Cork City during the height of the Celtic Tiger era, captured in 2007 when Ireland’s construction boom was at its peak and the city skyline was dominated by cranes building new office blocks and apartments, including the Elysian Tower.

It would all come crashing down financially within a year. Some apartments in the Elysian were vacant for years.

Aperture	ƒ/6.3
Camera	Canon EOS 20D
Focal length	75mm
ISO	100
Shutter speed	1/640s

Grand Parade Motorcycles

Do you remember when the Grand Parade had motorcycle parking down the middle of the street? That was twenty years ago! See there’s no mural on the wall behind?

This photo was taken on Christmas Eve 2005.

Aperture	ƒ/3.5
Camera	Canon EOS 20D
Focal length	18mm
ISO	400
Shutter speed	1/800s

When the Dragon Roared Through Cork’s Streets

A massive illuminated dragon skull head with glowing blue interior and silver-painted skeletal texture towers over North Main Street, Cork, during the Dragon of Shandon parade at night, with a pink and orange striped van, King Fadez shop, colourful murals and crowds visible below.

Large white skeletal dragon puppet structure with illuminated interior passes white curved building during Dragon of Shandon parade on North Main Street Cork at night with dense crowds lining the route and light trails from passing vehicles

Right, so let’s talk about the absolute star of Cork’s Dragon of Shandon parade—the massive skeletal dragon that dominated the streets and created that perfect mix of ancient mythology and contemporary street theatre that defines this extraordinary event.

The parade really is a spectacular event, and the dragon brings up the rear with ominous music and a rider on top. It’s really quite a sight to see!

Aperture	ƒ/5.6
Camera	ILCE-7RM5
Focal length	24mm
ISO	1000
Shutter speed	1/10s

The Marionette Masters of North Main Street

Close-up of towering female puppet figure with elaborate theatrical makeup, ornate costume details including skeletal hand design and flowing golden dress, during the Dragon of Shandon parade on North Main Street, Cork, at night with building windows visible behind.

Wide view of Dragon of Shandon parade on North Main Street, Cork, showing participants in Victorian costumes manipulating puppets on strings, pink and orange striped van, large green dragon decoration overhead, elaborate tall female puppet figure on right, and King Fadez shop with colourful murals in background under string lights at night.

Who’s pulling the strings?

Aperture	ƒ/5.6
Camera	ILCE-7RM5
Focal length	24mm
ISO	5000
Shutter speed	1/50s

Pirates, Sea Creatures, and Cork’s Theatrical Spirit

Dragon of Shandon parade participant in bright yellow raincoat carrying person in blue costume through North Main Street, Cork, at night, surrounded by Victorian-costumed performers and elaborate puppet creatures with colourful murals visible on buildings behind.

Two participants pulling a carriage with large white skeletal fish or sea creature puppets with illuminated spines parade down North Main Street, Cork, during Dragon of Shandon, with a pink and orange striped van and King Fadez shop visible in background under string lights.

A float with a maritime theme goes down North Main Street, Cork as part of the Dragon of Shandon parade.

Aperture	ƒ/5.6
Camera	ILCE-7RM5
Focal length	24mm
ISO	12800
Shutter speed	1/50s

The Jellyfish Brigade of the Dragon of Shandon

Performer with red hair and theatrical face paint in dark blue costume holds large illuminated white jellyfish puppet overhead during Dragon of Shandon parade on North Main Street, Cork, with motion blur effects and colourful building backdrop.

A young participant with red hair and glasses in black costume with blue cape smiles while holding a massive white jellyfish puppet with streaming tentacles during Dragon of Shandon parade on North Main Street, Cork, at night with string lights overhead.

A group of costumed Dragon of Shandon parade participants, including a wheelchair user in pirate costume with white jellyfish puppet, person in red scarf, and others in theatrical makeup gathered on North Main Street, Cork, with the King Fadez shop visible in background.

It’s not often you’ll see giant jellyfish floating along North Main Street, although with the rains pummeling Cork in the last few days there may well have been floods along there.

Aperture	ƒ/5.6
Camera	ILCE-7RM5
Focal length	24mm
ISO	10000
Shutter speed	1/50s

Dragon of Shandon’s Theatrical Showcase

Young dancer from Joan Denise Moriarty School in striking purple, pink and silver painted costume with blue metallic headdress and golden textured arm pieces poses during Dragon of Shandon parade on North Main Street, Cork, with crowd and colourful murals in background.

A group of dancers in flowing white and blue costumes with green netting, feathers and LED lights performing on wet North Main Street, Cork, during the Dragon of Shandon parade at night with King Fadez shop and string lights visible.

Motion-blurred photograph of a dancer in elaborate yellow, white and green costume with flowing fabric and LED lights spinning during Dragon of Shandon parade performance on North Main Street, Cork, at night.

Dancers in blue, white and green ocean-themed costumes with flowing fabric, netting and LED lights performing energetic choreography during Dragon of Shandon parade on North Main Street, Cork, with a pink and orange striped van in background.

A small selection of photos of the fabulous costumes and dancers at the Dragon of Shandon parade in Cork over the weekend.

Aperture	ƒ/5.6
Camera	ILCE-7RM5
Focal length	24mm
ISO	10000
Shutter speed	1/50s

The witches and ghosts of the Dragon of Shandon

Young woman in elaborate witch costume with black pointed hat, green face paint, hot pink satin dress and black cape poses during Dragon of Shandon parade on North Main Street Cork at night with pink and orange striped van and colourful murals visible behind

Parade participant in cream-coloured elaborate Victorian-style coat with tall black top hat and theatrical face paint holds yellow fabric puppet during Dragon of Shandon parade on North Main Street Cork with colourful mural backdrop.

Young person with long red hair in Victorian-style white dress, leopard print shawl and ornate black top hat with purple flowers poses during Dragon of Shandon parade on North Main Street Cork under string lights at night

Participant with long red hair in Victorian dress, black decorated top hat and theatrical face paint makes peace signs with both hands during Dragon of Shandon parade on North Main Street Cork with King Fadez shop visible in background

Close-up of participant with long red hair wearing ornate black top hat with purple flowers, theatrical white face paint with pink cheeks, leopard print shawl and white Victorian dress during Dragon of Shandon parade on North Main Street Cork at night

Enthusiastic male participant in brown period coat with burgundy waistcoat and white cravat displays elaborate theatrical face paint with swirls and designs during Dragon of Shandon parade on North Main Street Cork with King Fadez shop in background

Wheelchair user in burgundy Victorian dress with elaborate white moth or butterfly wing costume piece being pushed through Dragon of Shandon parade on North Main Street Cork with crowd of costumed participants and pink and orange striped van visible in background

Some of the ghosts and witches at the Dragon of Shandon parade, 2025.

Aperture	ƒ/5
Camera	ILCE-7RM5
Focal length	24mm
ISO	8000
Shutter speed	1/30s

Cork’s Halloween Parade Brings Magic to the Street

Group of Dragon of Shandon parade dancers in metallic skirts and black clothing with theatrical face paint performing on North Main Street, Cork, at night with colourful murals and parade marshal in hi-vis vest visible in background.

Participant in black feathered bird-like costume with grey mask and large white wings performing dramatic pose during Dragon of Shandon parade on North Main Street, Cork, with pink and orange striped van in background.

Crowd of Dragon of Shandon parade participants in black clothing and face paint gathered on North Main Street Cork at night with pink and orange striped van and colourful murals visible in background, spectators filming on phones.

Young participants in elaborate black costumes with skeleton face paint performing choreographed routine during Dragon of Shandon parade on North Main Street Cork, including child in grey outfit in foreground.

Young participant in black costume with detailed skull face paint and orange fabric details crouching dramatically during Dragon of Shandon parade on North Main Street Cork with crowd and King Fadez shop visible in background.

Two young participants in black clothing with skeleton face paint and orange prop masks performing energetically during Dragon of Shandon parade on North Main Street Cork at night with string lights visible overhead.

This is what Cork’s Dragon of Shandon parade does best. It transforms the streets into a moving theatrical spectacular where elaborate costumes, dedicated face paint, choreographed performances, and pure Halloween energy collide in the most brilliant way possible.

Aperture	ƒ/2.8
Camera	ILCE-7RM5
Focal length	24mm
ISO	2000
Shutter speed	1/15s

Cork’s Halloween Spectacle in Motion

Three Dragon of Shandon parade participants posing on Patrick Street Cork - man in orange dungarees with denim jacket, person in skull face paint with "2039" marking, and person in yellow patterned full-body suit, with crowd and colourful parade backdrop visible behind them at night.

Dragon puppet or float with fierce carved wooden head featuring flames and elaborate details being carried through Dragon of Shandon parade on Patrick Street Cork at night, with two participants in face paint and decorative waistcoats manipulating the construction, motion blur visible in background.

Yeah, that’s a giant demonic head they’re pushing along the North Main Street, Cork. 🙂

Aperture	ƒ/2.8
Camera	ILCE-7RM5
Focal length	24mm
ISO	160
Shutter speed	1/3s

Dragon of Shandon’s Spooky Crew

A puppeteer manipulates a large white skeleton puppet on Patrick Street during the Dragon of Shandon parade in Cork, with a pink and orange striped van, costumed parade participants, and spectators visible in the background under street lights at night

A puppeteer with skull face paint looks up whilst manipulating a towering articulated skeleton puppet overhead during the Dragon of Shandon parade on Patrick Street in Cork, surrounded by crowds of spectators and other costumed participants, with colourful building murals and string lights visible in the background at night

A few more photos of the Dragon of Shandon parade last night. I’ll spread these out over the next few days. You’ll get a proper chance to experience the fun of the night.

They’ll all be visible here in the future if you’re coming across this post by itself.

Aperture	ƒ/5
Camera	ILCE-7RM5
Focal length	24mm
ISO	100
Shutter speed	1/250s

The Big Bones Brigade

One of the fabulous skeleton dancers at tonight’s Dragon of Shandon parade in Cork! What a buzz and atmosphere! Crowds were lining North Main Street where we waited, down Castle Street and then on to Cornmarket Street. Amazing night. Not to be missed next year!

More photos to follow when I have time to edit them.

Aperture	ƒ/2.8
Camera	ILCE-7RM5
Focal length	24mm
ISO	320
Shutter speed	1/25s