Dragon of Shandon

Nighttime parade in Ireland

Dragon of Shandon

The eponymous dragon during the 2023 parade

Genre| Festival
Frequency| Annually
Location(s)| Cork
Country| Ireland
Inaugurated| October 31, 2006; 17 years ago (2006-10-31)[1]
Founder| Cork Community Art Link
Next event| 31 October 2024
Website| www.dragonofshandon.com

The Dragon of Shandon is a nighttime parade held annually at Halloween (31 October) in Cork, Ireland.[2][3] It begins shortly after dark to facilitate child spectators and participants, and proceeds from Shandon to the city centre. The parade celebrates the Gaelic festival of Samhain and also has participants from immigrant communities with similar traditions such as Dia de Los Muertos.[4][2] The parade features musicians, dancers, costumed groups, and giant puppets, culminating with the eponymous dragon, a skeleton which breathes smoke. The parade is organised by Cork Community Art Link (CCAL), which coordinates participation by various community and arts groups from Shandon and surrounding neighbourhoods.[1][2]

The first Dragon of Shandon parade was held in 2006.[1] The original dragon was made of cardboard, whereas the current one is made of tape.[5] In 2019, CCAL contributed to a Louisiana Voodoo/jazz funeral parade which opened the Cork Jazz Festival the week before the Dragon of Shandon parade.[4] The parade receives some funding from Cork City Council but mainly relies on voluntary donations and labour.[6] In 2018[6] and 2022,[5] there were fears of a funding shortfall, partly from the cost of storing the increasing collection of floats and costumes between parades; some were on display in Blackpool Shopping Centre and Cork Airport in the buildup.[6] The parade returned in 2022 after being cancelled in 2020 and 2021 owing to the COVID-19 pandemic.[7]

## References

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1. ^ a b c "How it Began: The Parade". Dragon of Shandon Official Website. Retrieved 6 February 2019.
2. ^ a b c Campbell, Amy (31 October 2023). "Watch: Dragon of Shandon returns to streets of Cork". The Echo. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
3. ^ International Office (October 2019). "Dragon of Shandon 31 October 2019". University College Cork. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
4. ^ a b English, Eoin (18 October 2018). "'Day of the dead' set to parade through city streets to open Cork Jazz Festival". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 6 February 2019.
5. ^ a b McAuley, Eimer (27 October 2022). "Fears funding shortfalls could scupper Dragon of Shandon". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
6. ^ a b c O'Neill, Kevin (17 October 2018). "No fears over the future of the Dragon of Shandon Parade, say organisers". The Echo. Retrieved 6 February 2019.
7. ^ Heaney, Steven; Laffan, Rebecca (31 October 2022). "Cork City's Dragon of Shandon roars back to life, despite weather warning". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 1 November 2023.

## External links

[edit]

* Official website