Thousands of people are expected to take part in the Darkness Into Light walks and events around the city and county this weekend, with the largest being in Galway City where a crowd of more than three thousand is expected to gather at dawn on Saturday.
The Galway City event is one of the largest in the country and will commence this year at the Atlantaquaria in Salthill, and not at Leisureland as in previous years. There will be an a 1km of reflection as the walk moves through South Park, while afterwards, free coffee and tea will be provided to all the participants, courtesy of Ground & Co, the popular cafe located at the Prom.
Other DIL walks will be held in the county at An Cheathrú Rua, Athenry, Ballinasloe, Clifden, Colemanstown, Glenamaddy, Headford, Inis mean, Inis Mor, Inishbofin, Kylemore Abbey, Loughrea, Mountbellew, Oranmore and Portumna, with all commencing at 4.15am.
Organisers are encouraging everyone to get involved, as all funds raised are used to help Pieta provide counselling and bereavement services in the city and county. Suicide was the top cause of death of all young men aged 19 or under in Galway in 2019, and the numbers continue to increase in the aftermath of the years of lockdown during the pandemic.
Speaking to the Advertiser, Irma Joyce, Community Fundraising Executive for Connacht said Darkness Into Light is one of those events that really resonates with the whole of the country.
”For details of how you can donate and/or participate in your local Darkness Into Light event, see www.darknessintolight.ie
