CORK:A TOWERING dragon measuring 140ft long impressed St Patrick's Day parade spectators in Cork yesterday. Constructed by theatre puppet specialists Púca Puppets, the colourful creature drew squeals of delight as it led the parade through Cork city centre.
Thousands lined the streets from early morning to view a host of specially commissioned artworks, including a giant “robot of destruction” by arts organisation Spraoi, accompanied by a number of alien minions.
“Chaos of Elements” by Cork Circus was a dramatic visual feast representing elements wind, earth, fire and water.
Festival organisers teamed up with Blackrock Castle Observatory to celebrate the UN International Year of Astronomy in this year’s parade. Nasa astronaut Dan Tani, who has twice been to the International Space Station, acted as grand marshal, joining dignitaries including Cork Lord Mayor Brian Bermingham in the viewing stand at the gates of Bishop Lucey Park on Grand Parade.
Speciality foods were on sale from a market set up on the newly constructed boardwalk over the River Lee, while parade participants gathered at Millennium Hall for refreshments afterwards.
Irish dancers with eastern European accents and African drummers in traditional dress added a splash of multiculturalism.
Warriors in medieval dress prowled the streets and Vikings showed off examples of the long boats that transported them to Ireland.
Around the county, thousands took advantage of the sunshine. They saw parades that featured distinctly sporting themes, such as world power lifting champions Seán Canniffe and Tony Pierce in Bandon and Olympic legend Denis Rice, grand marshall for the Fermoy parade.
In Bantry, Dr Matt Murphy was honoured for his lifelong dedication to rowing, while renowned author Alice Taylor officially opened the parade at Coppeen. There traditional bowl pitching and the long-puck event drew crowds of spectators.
In the north Cork town of Kanturk, residents decked out their homes in green white and orange following a call from the local community council.