Dragon of Shandon – In Photos dot Org

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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. 🙂

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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.

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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.

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The Dragon Awakens

The Dragon of Shandon ready to go on the parade, with a woman holding an umbrella looking at it. A single solitary street light provides illumination, apart from the soft light from nearby windows.

The Dragon of Shandon was all ready to travel through Cork City. It was waiting just down the street from Shandon Bells. Raaaarrrrr!

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The 2023 Dragon of Shandon Parade

I had the privilege of capturing this electrifying event for the first time ever, and let me tell you – it was an experience unlike any other!

Despite the chilly weather and occasional rain showers, the participants’ spirits were unwavering as they danced, sang, SCREAMED and shambled along as zombies. ?

As the procession made its way along Shandon Street, North Gate Bridge, North Main Street, Castle Street, and finally Cornmarket Street, a massive crowd gathered to watch and cheer on the fun! ? I chatted with some enthusiastic spectators who followed the zombies and monsters from Shandon Street to Cornmarket Street to make sure they didn’t miss anything.

At the very end, we were treated to dancing and singing by the groups in the parade, and it was wonderful. I’m sure it’ll be on next year. You should go see it if you’re in Cork!

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Fun at the Dragon of Shandon

A blurry shot of a woman on roller skates taking part in the parade. She's got wonderful makeup and dressed in dark clothes, while nearby another woman swings lights. Behind them are others in the parade.

Happy Halloween!! Last night was my first time photographing the Dragon of Shandon parade, and it was incredible! The weather was pretty bad, with intermittent rain showers, and it was a cold October evening. Brrr.

That didn’t dampen the spirits of all the participants, who danced and hollered and stumbled along like zombies or medieval executioners. Not to mention the fabulous floats!

More photos to come. I haven’t had time to look over them all yet. Check out the ones Fergal shared here on Facebook!

Remembering you, Robert, the first time I went to this, and you’re not there with your camera.

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Shutter speed	1/20s