Dragon of Shandon Parade Returns for Halloween 2023

Cork Community Art Link is delighted to announce the return of the Dragon of Shandon Parade. Come celebrate Samhain and Cork Community Art Link’s 30 years of our unique and inclusive ways of bringing art into Cork's public space. The 36-foot Dragon made entirely out of tape will prowl the streets escorted by her legion of loyal ghouls, beasts, misfits and demons to celebrate the ancient tradition of Samhain in a thrilling nighttime parade and finale show attracting thousands of spectators, young and old, to Cork City.

Hundreds of participants will bring the dragon to life, volunteers and community groups such as Suisha inclusive Arts, Blackpool Community Access Program and National Learning Network will be collaborating with our artists to create floats, costumes, and performances.

We will be joined by the french co-operative La Bergerie and Australian theatre company Curious Legends. Expect fantastic performances from Joan Denise Moriarty School of Dance, CCAL Drama Troupe, Slí Danú, The Butter Exchange Band, The Coal Quay Shawlies and many more, to be announced.

A true grassroots event that began by asking the people of Cork, what do you want in your city? The event has grown into a real-life urban legend and myth, showcasing a night for the community, built by and with the community of Cork City, it is The Dragon of Shandon that belongs to the people of Cork. To keep in line with our main value of inclusiveness, most of our projects take place or had their outcome presented in the public space. Whenever, and as much as we can, we aim to provide our workshops, large scale visual arts or parades are free of charge or subsidised for everyone.

Now in its 18th year, The Dragon of Shandon Parade continues Cork Community Art Link's 30 years of community focused, unique large scale art projects and events. In the lead up, Cork Community Art Link are offering a series of free workshops open to all. From float and prop making to skeleton puppeteering and face painting workshops, there is something for everyone, so come join us at the Lido and help to bring the dragon to life! 

This free parade for all will take place on Halloween night, Tuesday 31st of October 2023, beginning at 7.00 pm it will start on Church Street and travel down the length of Shandon Street, North Main Street, Castle Street, Cornmarket Street and finish with a series of performances on the Coal Quay.

About Cork Community Art Link

Cork Community Art Link is a community arts organisation and registered charity in Cork, Ireland. We encourage meaningful collaborations between artists and people that result in the creation of great art, bringing creativity to places where people live, work and play. We work with people to create a sense of community identity and collective pride, enabling people to learn more about themselves and the world around them while having fun. 

Our work engages with people both as participants and spectators in public spaces, developing new ways of connecting with the arts to come along, learn new skills and to make their creative contribution to society.

We specialise in providing equal access to all in the process of art making and performance, often using the streets, the public space, as our canvas for community driven initiatives. At CCAL we believe that everyone should have the chance to experience the benefits of community projects, artistic creation and collaborative work which all contribute to learning and developing new skills, enhance self-esteem, and increase social engagement. We also believe in Cultural Democracy, which means that everyone has their part to say and should be allowed and encouraged to participate in the making of culture and express themselves. We view individual as well as collective creativity as fundamental and necessary rights