Cork town setting plans in motion for Darkness into Light event

The 2026 Darkness into Light has been announced, with organisers hoping this year’s event in Ballincollig will be bigger than ever.

This year’s Darkness into Light will take place on Saturday, May 9.

Last year, Darkness into Light saw more than 80,000 people take part in pre-dawn events across the country and around the world. Most events took the form of walks aimed at raising funds for the suicide and self-harm prevention charity Pieta.

Walks took place at 230 locations across Ireland last year, while 180 sunrise walks took place around the world.

Last year’s efforts raised over €4m to help people impacted by suicide and self-harm, and the charity will be hoping that this year will see an even greater response.

The first Darkness into Light took place in 2009, in the Phoenix Park in Dublin, when 400 people set off on the inaugural 5km walk to raise funds for Pieta. From small beginnings, the movement has continued to grow each year.

Hope

The annual walk provides an opportunity for people to connect with their local community and to bring hope to people who have been impacted by suicide.

Pieta is 80% funded by fundraising events like Darkness into Light. Since Darkness into Light began, its supporters have helped Pieta raise over €40m.

In Ballincollig in 2025, some 1,600 walkers turned out for Darkness into Light, and they raised an impressive €32,972 for Pieta.

This year, the village will be looking at that figure as the target to beat.

This year marks the 10th year of Darkness into Light in Ballincollig, and the eighth year of physical walks, because for two years the walk had to be virtual due to the covid-19 pandemic.

In its decade in Ballincollig, Darkness into Light has raised at least €250,000 for Pieta, raising invaluable funding for its vital services.

Therapy

Catriona Casey, chair of Ballincollig Darkness into Light, noted that in the past year Pieta had received 100,000 phone calls and provided 41,000 hours of therapy to 6,000 people across the country.

“Darkness into Light has become a very special community event in Ballincollig,” she said. 

“In May, people will walk to support the work of Pieta, to remember loved ones who have died by suicide and to unite in solidarity with those who have been bereaved by suicide.”

The walk will begin at 4.15am at Le Chéile Secondary School, Ballincollig.

To register, see https://www.darknessintolight.ie or visit the Darkness into Light Ballincollig page on Facebook.

To avail of Pieta’s services, visit pieta.ie or call 0818 111 126. Pieta provides up to 12 free sessions to those experiencing suicidal thoughts. Pieta provides 24/7 support via freephone 1800 247 247, or text HELP to 51444.