Darkness Into Light walks in Laois – all you need to know

Events are planned for Portlaoise, Portarlington and Durrow. The Portlaoise walk sets off from Beladd, Portlaoise (Eircode R32 F796). The Durrow walk starts from Lions AFC, Cork Road, Durrow (R32 PD26), and the Portarlington walks sets off from Portarlington GAA Club, Cooltederry, Portarlington.

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Durrow

In Durrow, the countdown is on and this year they have introduced something special for Darkness Into Light - the Participant Pass. The pass is made from Pretex, designed to withstand humidity and prevent tearing. Rain or shine, your pass will stay with you.

“Everyone in Ireland, Northern Ireland, and the UK will receive a hard copy HOPE Participant Pass if they order a t-shirt when registering. If you don’t want a t-shirt, you can download your pass from your fundraising dashboard and pin it to your clothes on May 11. Let’s light up the morning,” added the spokesperson.

Durrow DIL has announced that “another amazing musician” will be joining them on the night. “Jack will be joining Robbie Campion from the band Drops of Green near the Fire Station so keep an eye out for them on the walk.

“Thanks Jack for getting up early and coming to Durrow, this is his second year to join us and we adore the fact that we have so many young volunteers.”

Local DIL Ambassadors Drops of Green will be playing some tunes before the walk begins and providing music for the reflective kilometers at Dunmore Woods.

The Durrow organisers said they are proud to announce four more new DIL Ambassadors.

“We are so grateful to have such amazing people support us and help us spread the word. When we asked these four amazing women to help, it was without hesitation they all jumped on board. So a very big thanks to:

Kate - you can check out all her amazing recipes at @thebrazennut

Aine - Digital Creator - you can keep up with her @theporcelainrose

Sarah - Queen of Cheese - keep up with her @thewildgrazer

Sharon - One of our most famous exports from Durrow - Journalist and RTE News Reporter @slinkylynch.”

“Sharon is a journalist and news reporter with RTÉ and most importantly a Mum of one gorgeous girl. Sharon has been such a great support to us in Durrow and we are very grateful she has jumped on board to help us spread the word about the walk happening in Durrow on May 11 at 4.15am.

"She will also be joining us on the morning of the walk to cut our ribbon and start our walk,” said a spokesperson. “On the morning of the walk on May 11, we are giving people an opportunity to write a note to their loved ones that they have lost and loved. In June we will be planting a Tree of Hope in Durrow and these notes will be buried under the tree.

"The tree will be planted in Durrow as a reminder that we are all part of the Darkness into Light movement, to remember our loved ones and to remind us that there is Hope.

In Durrow, the event again this year will start and finish at the Lions Soccer Club located on the Cork Road, Durrow. Eircode is R32 PD26. The route takes the walkers out the Abbeyleix road, turning down towards Dunmore Woods, coming out on to the Swan Road and back towards the starting point.

“We are delighted that we have some fabulous musicians and singers along our route to entertain us and will finish with a cuppa at the end,” said the spokesperson.

A last minute appeal has gone out for a photographer or budding photographer who can volunteer some time on the morning of the walk to capture some moments and memories. “We would really appreciate it,” said a Durrow spokesperson.

Portarlington

“Only one more sleep until our Community comes together to raise awareness for Mental Health issues and suicide, stand united to remember our loved ones and show support to anyone struggling all while supporting Pieta who provide amazing free of charge service 24/7,” said a spokesperson for Portarlington DIL.

It's a magical walk leaving Portarlington GAA Club at 4.15am to walk from darkness and into the light and dawn.” On Friday May, 10 Portarlington GAA Center will be open from 2pm until 8pm.

Memory Tree - write your personal message on bio degradable paper, and your message will be planted in a root of tree which will be planted on Wednesday May 15 in Coláiste Iosagáin. “Your memory / message will live on through the tree memory tree will stay open until walk has finished,” said a spokesperson. Any donations of biscuits and baked goods can be dropped in.

“We have a few mixed sizes of our Offical Darkness Into Light T shirts. These will be available on first come basis. Donations towards the cost would be appreciated.”

At 3.30am the gates will be opened for anyone who would like to come in for tea and chat. Parking is available at Scoil Padraig, at Lidl and Spar.

The Grounds Coffee and Dom Doody will be selling their delicious coffee and breakfast baps. “Our very generous donations from local shops and businesses provide tea coffee andsnacks for walkers before and after the walk - chairs will be provided in the center after the walk to chill, chat and connect.”

DJ Ray will keep walkers entertained during the morning, while Con Murphy is the Photographer for the morning. Dr Eddie Murphy is a DIL Ambassador and speaker along with all of the Ambassadors: Dara Ward, Alanna Fitzpatrick, Nicole Turner and Roseletta Casey will be there.

The Transition Year Students from Coláiste Iosagáin have been a major support to the organising committee and have designed posters for the route. They will be part of the route along with a little music surprise along the way. Local Primary Schools have provide art work which are displayed along the route and in the GAA Center.

“We will leave our route decorations untouched until Sunday evening to give our community the opportunity to walk this route during the day with family members,” added the spokesperson. “We are an official walk under Pieta, fully insured and many risk assessments have been submitted.

Registration can still be done online at darknessintolight.ie, select Laois, select Portarlington but as always Portarlington will always welcomes everyone and donations buckets will be available on the morning.”

“We have been overwhelmed with the support from Coláiste Íosagáin Transition Year Students.

“They have not only given their time to create a fabulous HOPE photo but they are supporting the Darkness Into Light Portarlington committee in fundraising, displaying posters and signage, raising awareness in their school and the local community along, with bringing superb ideas for this very important sunrise. We applaud you all and are very grateful for your support.”

“Take a bow Colaiste Iosagáin,” said Portarlington GAA Club. “Great work by your students in promoting the Darkness Into Light Portarlington walk. This event on May 11 is going to be huge so don't miss out.”

The route starts and finishes at Portarlington GAA Club. “As always everyone is welcome and donation buckets will be available on the morning,” added the spokesperson. The venue opens from 3.30am, with the 5km walk leaving at 4.15am Official registrations for Darkness into light 2024 are available at darknessintolight.ie, by selecting Laois from the dropdown menu of counties.

Tickets are €26 for adults, and €5 for children. All proceeds go to Pieta House. Pieta was founded in Dublin in 2006 and was established to provide free, accessible support to people affected by suicide and self-harm. Pieta now has over 20 centres nationwide with over 300 staff and offers a variety of supports to people impacted by suicide and self-harm, completely free of charge.