Thousands take place in Darkness into Light

Over 1,000 people took part in Cavan Darkness into Light events across the county in the early hours of this foggy morning.

Walkers took the roads from 4:15am this morning in Cavan Town, Bailieborough and Kill; while many others did their own personal walks.

The annual event raises money for Pieta House, the charity that works with people in suicidal distress, recovering from self harm and those bereaved by suicide.

This year’s event, the first official walk since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, marks the 10th year a fundraiser has been held in Cavan Town.

“We’ve over a thousand registered so far. We’ve been busy,” says Fiona Corby, chair of Darkness into Light.

The last walk, held in Cavan Town in 2019, saw a phenomenal 3,375 people take part, particularly considering the early hour.

Fiona is encouraged by the large turnout for this year’s event, given it’s the first in two years but also because of the devastating impact suicide has had on County Cavan over that time.

“In Cavan alone over the past two years we’ve been hit with so much tragic death through suicide. Most people unfortunately are walking in memory of somebody they’ve lost through suicide. The realisation of it hits home and they’re like ‘God I’m not on my own’.

“In the two years in County Cavan, in our own little community, we’ve had 17 suicides that we know of.

“I’m sure there are plenty more that people don’t want to talk about and that’s up to them but that’s a high number for our little community.”

The Darkness Into Light walks, Fiona says, are as much about raising much needed funds for the service as they are about showing people there are supports and people there to help.

Help

Anyone in need of help can contact Pieta House on 1800 247 247 or text HELP to 51444.