Cork City – 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

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

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

TBL8 Brass Perform in Cork

TBL8 Brass Band playing in Cork earlier this evening. They were so good. Blasting out the hits!

TBL8 Brass band performing on Oliver Plunkett Street in Cork during the Jazz Festival, with frontman on a megaphone in white clothing, surrounded by brass section and horn players in black, with red mobile phone shop and Christmas lights visible in the background at dusk.

Wide-angle low perspective shot of TBL8 Brass band performing on Oliver Plunkett Street during Cork Jazz Festival, showing the full brass section spread across the pedestrianised street with Georgian buildings, shop fronts, and Christmas lights in the background at dusk.

Two saxophone players from TBL8 Brass performing on Oliver Plunkett Street during Cork Jazz Festival with drummer and bassist visible in background, shoppers and spectators watching from the pedestrianised street at dusk with Christmas lights illuminating shop windows.

TBL8 Brass frontman energetically performing with megaphone on Oliver Plunkett Street during Cork Jazz Festival with a young girl in pink standing beside him, surrounded by large crowd of festival-goers and band members at dusk.

TBL8 Brass frontman performing passionately with megaphone on Oliver Plunkett Street during Cork Jazz Festival at dusk, with band members and large crowd of spectators visible behind him, including families and children, with illuminated shop windows in the background.

Aperture	ƒ/4
Camera	ILCE-7RM5
Focal length	16mm
ISO	250
Shutter speed	1/500s

Sale at Brown Thomas

The January sales in Brown Thomas attract many but the shop is a good place to meet someone as I presume this gentleman was, back in 2016.

Aperture	ƒ/8
Camera	Canon EOS 6D
Focal length	105mm
ISO	1600
Shutter speed	1/250s

When the Lee Became a Mirror

The Banks of the Lee were quite different by the Peace Park in 2004. Trees and shrubs obscured the river from the small park. It looks so different now.

Aperture	ƒ/4.5
Camera	CYBERSHOT
Focal length	11mm
ISO	100
Shutter speed	1/500s

Cork in Miniature

I love this mural showing various sights around Cork City. It’s just off Paul Street and well worth a look. The artist, Garreth Joyce, painted it in 2023.

Aperture	ƒ/8
Camera	ILCE-7M3
Focal length	24mm
ISO	100
Shutter speed	1/125s

When Art Meets Daily Life on Sullivan’s Quay

I love the murals around Cork City, and the mural on Sullivan’s Quay is particularly eye-catching. Ordinary life continues on, but at least we’re treated to the gorgeous colours whenever we pass by.

Aperture	ƒ/9
Camera	ILCE-7RM5
Focal length	77mm
ISO	1600
Shutter speed	1/500s

Irish Terrier Practises Street Yoga

Was it yoga, or was there another dog just out of frame and this Irish Terrier wanted to be friends?

Irish Terriers are one of the oldest terrier breeds and are nicknamed “daredevils” because of their famously spirited and fearless temperament. During World War I, Irish Terriers were used as messenger dogs in the trenches, carrying communications between units under incredibly dangerous conditions. They were so effective and brave that they earned widespread admiration. One officer wrote that they were “extraordinarily intelligent, faithful, and honest, and a man who has one of them as a companion will never lack a true friend.” That stretching behaviour you see in the photo? It’s actually a natural “play bow”. Dogs use it not just to stretch their muscles but also as a social signal to other dogs (and sometimes humans) that they’re feeling playful and want to engage. So this little terrier might just be inviting passersby on Oliver Plunkett Street to join in the fun!

Aperture	ƒ/9
Camera	ILCE-7RM5
Focal length	160mm
ISO	1000
Shutter speed	1/500s

Window on the City

From the car park on North Main Street, Cork, you can Bruce College and St Mary’s Dominican Priory. I liked how the stark lifeless concrete frame of the multi-story car park contrasted with the variety of materials and colours in the world outside.

Aperture	ƒ/6.3
Camera	ILCE-7RM5
Focal length	201mm
ISO	1000
Shutter speed	1/1000s

Father Mathew Quay Torn Up

Father Mathew Quay is a road that is definitely closed. The tarmac has been torn up to be remade into something better, hopefully.

Aperture	ƒ/8
Camera	ILCE-7RM5
Focal length	25mm
ISO	1000
Shutter speed	1/500s