DiL Cavan postpone Memory Walk

All walkers must be registered before midnight on Friday 30, and arrive only at their given time.

The Darkness Into Light committee in Cavan will host an early morning Memory Walk.

However, originally planned to coincide with World Mental Health Day this weekend, October 10, due to the level 3 restrictions, the event has now been shifted back to the end of the month, on the morning of Saturday, October 31 between 4am and 9am.

The walk, which came about after it was confirmed there would be no DiL in 2020, will be held in line with Covid restrictions at that time.

Claire Conlisk, a member of the Cavan DiL organising committee told The Anglo-Celt: “One woman commented about how disappointed she was, that she had been having some bad days, and how she needed her walk. I have to say that comment really touched our hearts. It brought home to us just how much DiL has come to mean to the people of Cavan, and the comfort that it brings to them.”

It was committee Chair, Fiona Corby, who motivated the local group to explore what could be done to commemorate those lost through suicide. They eventually settled upon hosting a short walk around Con Smith Park, but one that would be lit with the trove of DiL decorations collected down through the years.

The walk, which will be confined to the park with no use of the public roads, will be followed by the planting of a Memory Tree along Bóithrín na Smaointe. Attendees will also have the opportunity to sign the Banner of Hope, and hang Memory hearts on the memory trees.

Support

“It is important to say that it is not Darkness into Light. It is not even a fundraiser, though we will have Pieta collection buckets there if anyone does want to donate," explained Claire. "It is just our way of giving the community a chance to remember those we have lost, and to show our continued support for those who are struggling with their mental health.”

The walk will be held on a relay basis only, with start times staggered by 15 minutes. All walking slots must be booked in advance by contacting either Fiona Corby on 086 3697777 or Claire Conlisk on 086 8110103

All walkers must be registered before midnight on Friday 30, and arrive only at their given time.

Tree planting will be held at 9am.