Dragon of Shandon Samhain Parade                 A PROJECT BY Cork Community Art Link

The Dragon of Shandon 2020, something different…

This year we will not be celebrating Samhain together in our streets as we typically would. The Dragon of Shandon won’t take to the streets with her cortege of ghouls, banshees, púcas and other mischievous characters to claim once more the streets of Cork for all, as the ultimate stage in town.
Instead we shall leave the Lady Dragon of Shandon to sleep and dream. 
 
We are truly sorry to have to postpone the tradition this year. We are especially sad to not have the opportunity to engage with the participants who would have usually come through our doors, and are equally sad to not be able to share the experience with the public of Cork and beyond who have greeted us with such enthusiasm for many years. 
 
But we are Cork Community Art Link, an art organisation unlike most others. We have been built through resilience, solidarity, adaptability and with daring ambitions. We cannot simply do nothing. So, we have been working away within the health regulations and adapting periodically to changes in our project.
 
We have been a skeleton crew working on this project, but we will still try to bring something special to the city of Cork this Samhain. We are proud this year to be collaborating with Meitheal Mara, another unique community driven organisation, hoping that we will be able to complete this unique project in these restrictive and challenging times. So, here we are still trying to share a little bit of our Dragon lady magic with the people of Cork. 
 
Check out our website and social networks to see how we progress and how you can still be part of the Dragon of Shandon this year. 
 
In the meantime we encourage all of you to still celebrate the “time between times” in a safe manner, be creative in your homes and share whatever you do online with us.
 
You can also visit Berwick Lane in Blackpool and see what we have achieved with our Rebel Streets project in the last few months with a mural celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Lido building and some cool pieces created by various individuals on the theme of resilience.
 
For all the groups and individuals with whom we work, who already in normal times have difficulty in accessing and participating in their local culture, even in making art or just having a place to come to, be part of something, and who this year  are struggling to access the most  basic resources and services. This year work is dedicated to all of you.

The Dragon of Shandon will take place at 7pm on 31st October 2019 on the streets of Cork.

Growing bigger and better as it reaches its 13th year, the Dragon of Shandon Parade is the highlight of CCAL’s annual arts calendar, the result of a 3 month outreach and community engagement programme with local artists, over 20 groups and support services working in partnership with local artists to create a cultural hub and provide a friendly and carnival atmosphere within the entire city on Halloween night. 

Poster Design by Diane O'Reilly 

Spectators gathering for The Dragon of Shandon Parade 2016 - Photo by Dragan Tomas

Check the ARCHIVES section of the website for photos and videos!

The Dragon of Shandon parade is made possible only thanks to many participants, volunteers and friends, as well as to the many sponsors who come on board with financial and in kind support.

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Would you like to get involved in the Dragon of Shandon festival?
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​If you want to support the project by participating in our workshops; construction, costume, or painting, drop us a line at [email protected]

Join us and be part of an incredible parade for Samhain!

Each year up to 100 individuals take part in our voluntary participation programme learning skills in prop making, mask and costumes, project development and event management. Some volunteer a couple of hours on the day of the event. Others have a longer term engagement spanning several months. Many return on an annual basis from Ireland, Europe and beyond and leave each year equipped with new skills, learning and friends gained during the course of the project.

Go Raibh Mile maith agaibh!


This event is facilitated by Cork Community Art Link.

Tape Sculpture
Skull Tutorials

Feed the Dragon!

It is more than a parade, it's a community project that has involved thousands of participants for the last 12 years, including over 20 community groups, bringing 15,000 spectators onto the streets in 2017.

Despite this huge success, the project is depending on donations to happen. Your contributions will help us to facilitate free open workshops to the community.

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Cork Community Art Link

Charity No. CHY20769

Address: The Lido, 71 Watercourse Road
​Blackpool
T23 DV24
Cork City, Ireland 

Telephone: 00353 (0)21 455 3747
Email: [email protected]

CCAL Website