Record number of Cork venues to hold Darkness into Light events this year

A RECORD number of venues in Cork will be holding Darkness into Light (DIL) events this year when the worldwide event in aid of Pieta returns.

Cork city’s biggest walk will take place from the grounds of UCC at 4.15am on May 11, while an event in Ballyvolane has been resurrected for this year along with other city locations in Blarney and Glanmire.

In addition, 5km DIL walks and runs will take place right across Cork county including Adrigole, Ballincollig, Ballineen/Enniskeane, Ballyvourney, Bandon, Bantry, Castletownbere, Clonakilty, Cobh, Drinagh, Dunmanway, Farran, Fermoy, Inchigeelagh, Kanturk, Kinsale, Macroom, Mallow, Midleton, Millstreet, Mitchelstown, Schull, Sherkin Island, Skibbereen, Watergrasshill and Youghal.

According to UCC DIL committee member, Mick Finn, 30 venues in Cork will be hosting 5km walks this year.

“It is great to see new venues coming on stream, especially after the missing years of covid and hopefully the 2024 events will lead to a revitalised experience of strength and camaraderie for those impacted by suicide,” he said.

“With all the new venues, it will mean volunteers are needed more than ever and I know that we in the UCC event are looking for new supporters to get involved. Details of a pre-event familiarisation night on campus after Easter will be posted on the Facebook page soon,” he added.

Darkness into Light commenced in 2009 to raise funds for Pieta, a charity that provides free services across Ireland for people at risk of suicide and self-harm, and those bereaved by suicide. To register for a DIL event, see darknessintolight.ie.