Celebrating 10 years of Darkness Into Light

Saturday May 12 marks the 10th anniversary of Darkness Into Light in Mullingar, a walk in support of Pieta House, and its expected that hundreds will turn out in aid of this very worthy cause.

The annual 5km walk/run not only raises funds for the charity, but awareness of the supports that are in place, by bringing people together in the hope of creating a suicide-free world.

Darkness Into Light this year starts from Gaelscoil an Mhuilinn on the Ashe Road at 4.15am, and participants are asked to arrive at the location by 3.45am to allow time for parking, which is available at Tesco and at Fair Green.

Now a tradition on the annual Irish calendar, the Pieta House Darkness into Light Mullingar 5k coincides with the hundreds of such events taking place around the country and internationally. This year, Mullingar Niall Breslin is leading London's Darkness Into Light walk for instance.

The early dawn represents hope and is symbolic of the work of Pieta House; bringing people from darkness back into the light.

Ahead of the event, one of the organisers, Noel O’Callaghan revealed that the organisers are highly confident that of huge turnout for this year's event. Throughout Ireland, he says, the event has grown in popularity, as a way of helping people do their bit to facilitate awareness of suicide and of the support systems in existence.

Not just that, but Irish people abroad are bringing the concept to their locales as well, he says, adding that Defence Forces personnel will do the walk at the Golan Heights this year, and local army man, Colonel Paul Whelan is to do it in Brussels.

The walk follows the same route as in previous years, says Mr O’Callaghan, adding that as previously, there is what’s termed “the silent kilometre” along a candlelit path through Finian’s Collge.

For more information on this year’s walk, contact any of the committee or email darknessintolightmullingar@gmail.com or send a private message to the Facebook page.