Cork’s famous dragon of Shandon will come out of hiding again tonight for what is fast becoming the city’s best-known Halloween tradition. The 11m-long monster, crafted by talented local artists, will be seen prowling the streets on Halloween night surrounded by friends that include an entourage of skeletons and terrifying ghouls. She will form part of Cork Community Art Link initiative the Dragon of Shandon Parade 2024.

Some 400 participants from 20 community groups will come together to make the spectacle possible this evening at 7pm, beginning at the iconic Shandon, before weaving its way down into the city centre. The groups include artists from the French co-operative La Bergerie, Mexicans in Cork, the Kahlyna Ukrainian Choir, and the Cobh Animation Team.

Attendees can also enjoy performances from an impressive line-up of musicians and dance groups, including the French Afro-Soul band Santa Machete, The Cork Butter Exchange Band, Tribe Dance Academy, the Joan Denise Moriarty School of Dance. The Kabin Studio, and the Cork Community Art Link Drama Troupe will feature, among a host of other acts.

The event will follow months of anticipation and preparation in the dragon’s lair, which is situated in Blackpool village’s former Lido cinema. Spectators are encouraged to embrace the spirit of the dragon by dressing in Halloween-themed attire on the night.

The Parade Route

The parade will kick off at Church St, making its way down Shandon St and on to North Main St before turning left on to Castle St for a grand finale at the Coal Quay. Cork Community Art Link manager Moray Bresnihan said excitement is building for the big night. “What started off as a cardboard dragon in 2006 has now grown into something really special,” he said.

“The Lido has meant so many different things to so many different people over the years. Older generations in particular love coming in and seeing what has been done with the building. We are having a lot of people call into us off the street and that’s been really nice. It’s been amazing to see what people can do when they all come together. One man brings his grandchildren, and they get dressed up and do a float together. There is always that bit of stress but knowing after three months of hard work that this is really going to happen makes it all worthwhile. When it finally comes together it always looks spectacular. It’s like Brazil in the rain.”

A Look Back at the Dragon’s History

While organisers remain tight-lipped about the finer details of festivities, it is hoped that they live up to the success of last year’s event. The 2023 parade, which marked Cork Community Art Link’s 30th birthday, included a birthday cake of gigantic proportions with 30 candles surrounded by bakers and oversized kitchen utensils. A mock newsstand selling The Evil Echo also featured as a team of paper boys led the way.

More Than Just a Dragon

Giant houses, elderly witches, and most importantly the Dragon of Shandon will all take to the streets of Cork this Halloween, as the parade returns tonight for its 19th year. Presented by Cork Community Art Link, the Dragon of Shandon is an annual parade consisting of huge, complex floats as well as musicians, dancers and actors. A celebration of the ancient Irish tradition of Samhain, the event sees a 36 foot dragon (carefully crafted from tape) rise from the dead, accompanied by other, equally meticulously crafted floats.

Moray Bresnihan, Manager at Cork Community Art Link described to the Cork Independent what strange creations can be seen at the parade, which kicks off tonight at 7pm. “We have a bunch of new ones this year,” said Mr Bresnihan, when asked about the other floats. “There’s our large shadow queen, who’s huge - 5 metres tall. Her outfit is outrageous. At the bottom of her dress, there will be a shadow play, with two people inside illuminated acting it out,” he said.

A Feast for the Senses

There is no shortage of creativity when it comes to the floats, something evident from the Dragon, the Shadow Queen, and the second new addition, the Babayaga float. “It’s based on an old Slavic tale about a witch, one we would probably know as Hansel and Gretel,” said Bresnihan. “Her whole cottage will be moving up and down on pistons, with puppets jumping out of the windows.”

While the floats are impressive, there are plenty of other things to see in the parade at ground level, with over 400 participants from 20 different community groups involved. French afro-soul band Santa Machete will feature on a float, with the Cork Butter Exchange Band and the Kahlyna Ukrainian Choir all perform on the move.

They will be surrounded by dancers from Tribe Dance Academy, the Joan Denise Moriarty School of Dance, and the famous Kabin Studio. Each float is built by volunteers, with the organisers working with the likes of Cope and Enable Ireland to create a piece of art that is literally moving.

“The volunteers develop their own ideas on how to go about it, and then they build it and operate it themselves,” said Moray Bresnihan. “We’ve also been running these drop-in volunteer workshops, where people can just pop in to help make props,” he said.

A Sustainable Spectacle

Most of the materials used in the construction of the floats, props, and costumes are recycled materials, with people donating cardboard, felt, and fabrics. “We also use a lot of old election posters,” added Bresnihan. “Unfortunately, the politicians are copping on and not dating them so that they can re-use them, which means we can’t!”

Though the gigantic floats, musical mix and dancers would be enough to keep anyone entertained, there will also be troupes of actors in costume adding to the parade’s eerie nature. According to the manager of Cork Community Art Link, they will be trying to convey a narrative throughout the play, from its beginning on Church Street, proceeding down Shandon Street, onto North Main Street, turning left onto Castle Street, before concluding with a grand finale at the Coal Quay.

With 15,000 people expected to be in attendance, the organisers encourage those interested to dress in costumes or facepaint to add to the festivity of the event. This year’s Dragon of Shandon Parade promises to be an unforgettable spectacle of creativity, community, and Halloween spirit. Don’t miss out on this unique and unforgettable event, sure to be a highlight of Cork's Halloween festivities.