Pirates, Sea Creatures, and Cork’s Theatrical Spirit

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

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


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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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