Public urged to join this year's Darkness Into Light as big Tipperary town launches 2023 walk

Darkness Into Light is set to return to Nenagh this coming May. The local committee recently launched this year's event on the steps of Nenagh Courthouse, which is due to take place on Saturday, May 6th at 4.15am, and they took the opportunity to discuss a number of exciting ideas that they are currently planning as they work to bring the Darkness Into Light (DIL) 5km walk back to the streets of Nenagh again this year.

DIL is the main fundraising source for Pieta, which was founded in Dublin in 2006. Pieta was established to provide free, accessible one-to-one counselling to people suffering from suicidal ideation, engaging in self-harm or to those bereaved by suicide. With over hundreds of qualified therapists across various physical centres, they do everything they can to ensure that help is available to those in crisis.

Last year saw the return of DIL to Nenagh after three years, due to Covid-19, and over €17,000 was raised for last year's event.

Speaking at the launch of this year's Nenagh DIL, the Chairperson, Ryan O'Meara, discussed some of the exciting ideas that the committee have in place for this year's event, saying: "We are really looking forward to bringing DIL back to Nenagh this May.

"To try and make the most of this year's event, and to encourage more people than ever to get involved, the DIL Nenagh committee are working on a number of exciting ideas to bring even more energy, more community involvement, and a greater sense of hope as we walk, as a collective, from darkness into light  during sunrise on the morning of Saturday, May 6th.

"The route will follow the same route as we did in 2019, and will start at the Scouts Hall before going down around the main streets of the town, back up the Dublin Road, up Summerhill and out to the bypass, back in the Dromin Road, and finally around by the courthouse and back to finish at the Scouts Hall, where the committee will again be serving tea and refreshments.

"This year, we are appealing to local businesses and premises along the route, and especially those on Kickham St., Pearse St. and Kenyon St. to decorate their window displays in the yellow of DIL, to help spread an atmosphere and sense of hope along the route. We are also contacting local businesses for donations towards our teas, coffees and refreshments, and so far, we are absolutely delighted with the generous response we have been receiving from local people."

Ryan O'Meara continued to detail the efforts being made to engage with young people more in relation to the work of DIL Nenagh, saying: "The response from local schools in Nenagh and surrounding areas has also been very warm, and many have agreed to host 'yellow days' where pupils will wear yellow into school for the day and make a small donation towards DIL.

"We have also received positive responses from other schools that they will support the cause this year, and we are absolutely delighted with this as it is helping to raise both awareness and vital funds for services that assist all ages."

Ryan O'Meara concluded by saying: "We would finally like to encourage as many local people as possible to sign up and will be hosting a Registration Day in town on April 15th for those who would rather sign up in person. Participants can sign up at DarknessIntoLight.ie. We are encouraging our community at large to join us for the most important sunrise of the year".