Dragon of Shandon to set Halloween parade alight

A giant fire-breathing dragon will wake from his year-long slumber tonight to terrify and thrill at a Halloween parade through Cork City.

Thousands of people are expected to line the streets on the city’s northside to watch the 36ft Dragon of Shandon — the centrepiece of the Dragon of Shandon Festival — mark the ancient feast of Samhain.

The parade, which will feature hundreds of performers dressed as ghosts, goblins and ghouls, will set off from the Butter Exchange in Shandon at 7pm, with road closures in place for the duration of the event.