Watch video: County stands together as Darkness into Light returns

The quiet strength of community, the power of hope and the importance of speaking openly about mental health were all to the fore at the County Roscommon launch of this year’s Darkness into Light walk, held recently in the Percy French Hotel, Strokestown.

The annual 5km walk, organised by suicide prevention charity Pieta, will take place on Saturday, May 9th, with participants across the county and across the world setting off at 4.15 a.m. to walk from darkness into dawn — a powerful symbol of hope for those struggling with suicidal thoughts or self harm, and for families and communities affected by loss.

The launch event brought together committee members and volunteers from Strokestown, Boyle, Castlerea and Roscommon Town, highlighting the remarkable level of commitment and compassion that has defined Darkness into Light in the county for more than a decade.

Since 2012, communities across the county have raised over €477,000 for Pieta, providing vital funding for life saving mental health services.

Speaking on behalf of the Strokestown Darkness into Light committee, Shirley Caslin introduced the fellow Roscommon committees and paid tribute to the collaborative spirit that underpins the success of the event.

“Your presence here this evening is a powerful reminder that this is something that we’re all part of together,” she said. “This evening is about hope. It’s about connection and it’s about recognising that even in the darkest moments there is always a way forward.” Ms Caslin emphasised that while Darkness into Light is a national and global event, its real impact is driven at local level by community volunteers who give freely of their time and energy.

“The people behind this event, our volunteers who give their time generously — this is the backbone of Darkness into Light. Our walk would not be possible without them,” she said.

She also acknowledged the deeply personal reasons many people choose to participate.

“For so many, this walk is significant. People may walk for those they have lost, for those who are struggling, or because they know what it’s like to be in the darkness themselves.” One such volunteer is Rory Doyle, who has been involved with the Strokestown walk since 2022. Addressing those gathered, he spoke candidly about why the event left such a strong impression on him from the very beginning.

“What struck me the first year I volunteered was the wave after wave of people that passed my marshal point who came out to the walk and donated,” he said. “They supported all those in our community who may be suffering in silence.” That experience led him to return year after year, gaining a deeper understanding of the realities of mental health challenges and the vital role played by charities such as Pieta.

“I’ve learned a lot in the past four years about the work and services that Pieta provides to those in our community who may need them,” he said. “A 24 hour crisis hotline and training and education, particularly teaching us all how to recognise someone contemplating suicide. Mental health services in our county are certainly lacking, and where they are lacking, it’s often charities like Pieta that provide the vital support that’s needed.” Darkness into Light has become firmly embedded in communities across Roscommon. The walk has taken place in Roscommon Town since 2012, with Castlerea joining in 2016, Boyle in 2017 and Strokestown in 2022. Each location has developed its own strong volunteer base while sharing the same core message of hope and support.

Representing Pieta at the launch was fundraising manager Sinéad Ronan, who spoke about the significant impact Roscommon’s Darkness into Light committees have had, not just locally but nationally.

“Roscommon has had a major positive impact on the organisation,” she said.

Across the country, approximately 7,000 volunteers give an estimated 53,000 hours each year to make Darkness into Light possible. The event provides more than 75 per cent of the funding required to run Pieta’s services on a daily basis.

Last year alone, Pieta provided over one million minutes of free, life saving support to children and teenagers in crisis. In cases of suicide bereavement, the organisation’s suicide bereavement liaison service offers immediate assistance, with ongoing bereavement counselling available for families. These services are accessible 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, either face to face, by phone or via video call.

Currently, over 6,000 individuals are receiving support from Pieta, including more than 2,000 people under the age of 18 — a stark reminder of the scale of the need and the importance of early intervention.

Castlerea’s involvement in Darkness into Light is particularly notable. It is the only location in the county where students, school staff, the local committee and the wider public come together as one team to organise the event. This year marks the 10th anniversary of Darkness into Light in Castlerea.

Yvonne Ryan, a member of the Castlerea committee and a teacher at Castlerea Community School, spoke about the importance of the event’s message for young people.

“I think it is really important that the message gets out there to young people that it’s ok to not be ok and there is lots of support available,” she said.

In Boyle, Darkness into Light has become a cornerstone of community life since it began in 2017. Melissa Doohan, the long standing chair of the Boyle committee, reflected on its impact over the years.

“Darkness into Light to Boyle has been hugely impactful on the whole community,” she said. “I think in our first year we were just shy of over 1,000 people. It’s really positive for the community to come together and walk together.” Roscommon Town, meanwhile, will celebrate a milestone this year as it marks its 15th Darkness into Light walk. Jacqueline McCormack from the Roscommon Town committee paid tribute to the dedication and continuity shown by volunteers across the county.

“It’s nice to know that the position and everything that’s involved with Darkness into Light will continue,” she said.

As the launch concluded, there was a shared sense of gratitude for the extraordinary level of support shown by Roscommon communities year after year. Volunteers, committee members and supporters alike reflected on the importance of keeping conversations about mental health open, visible and stigma free.

Roscommon’s dedication to community led initiatives continues to be striking, and the support for Darkness into Light across the county remains phenomenal. As thousands prepare to rise before dawn on May 9th to take part, the message at the heart of the walk remains clear and consistent: no one has to face their struggles alone.

If you are struggling, reach out to someone you trust or visit Pieta.ie for support.

The Herald's Aoife Hynes spoke to Boyle DIL committee member, Melissa Doohan: