Darkness Into Light returns with message of hope

Before dawn breaks on Saturday, May 9, an extraordinary event demonstrating community solidarity will take place in 117 locations across Ireland, with five official walks scheduled across the Celt’s coverage area of Cavan and Monaghan.

Each of the walks will be 5km and all ages and fitness levels are welcome to take part. Registration in advance is encouraged on www.darknessintolight.ie where your location of choice can be selected. If you don’t want to pay online, donation buckets will be available on the morning.

John McMenamin from Carrickmacross Darkness Into Light (DIL) organising committee, has been involved since the event began in his locality, six years ago. For the first three years, Carrickmacross DIL was not official but gained that status in 2024. This is the third year the walk has been listed on the Darkness Into Light website.

Like so many others, John got involved after losing someone, but the pre-dawn walk is something he now looks forward to in the company of his friends and neighbours. He noted the joy in what is a solemn occasion, as the walk grows every year: “Everyone comes together and weather permitting, we all have a great old chat at the end of the walk. It’s a community effort. It’s community coming together.”

The event is a fundraiser for suicide prevention and awareness group, Pieta, and any money raised locally stays local. There is a Pieta outreach service in the Primary Care Clinic in Carrickmacross with others across the region. For John, the awareness element is more important than the fundraising though: “Everyone’s welcome to walk. If they donate, they donate. If they don’t donate, they’re still welcome to walk.”

The Gardaí were also thanked for their assistance with the running – or walking – of such annual events aimed at suicide prevention and awareness, as well as bringing comfort to those who have lost a loved one.

Streetlights will light the way, but flameless candles will also be dotted along the route, spelling out messages of hope.

In recent years Darkness Into Light Carrickmacross has attracted more than 1,000 participants. All ages and fitness levels are welcome along on the morning for what John describes as “a truly uplifting experience.” He paid tribute to the small but efficient organising committee behind Darkness Into Light 2026 and looks forward to seeing more people take part this year.

Darkness Into Light will begin at 4:15am sharp on Saturday, May 9, and participants are asked to arrive for 4am, to ensure a synchronised start.

There are a large number of similar walks, at clubhouses and in communities, across both counties. While not official DIL walks, others are in aid of charities such as SOSAD. Check out our local news pages for more.