Darkness Into Light 2026
Darkness Into Light 2026, proudly supported by Electric Ireland, is Pieta’s (The charity for suicide and self-harm prevention) biggest fundraiser, the 5km walk will take place at 4:15 a.m. on Saturday, 9th of May, 2026. The funds raised through Darkness Into Light supports Pieta’s lifesaving free services to people in your community that have been affected by suicide or self-harm. This inspiring event also symbolises hope, as communities come together to support mental health, suicide and self-harm prevention.
There are many ways to get involved. Purchase a ticket and join one of our Official Darkness Into Light walks or Take Part Your Own Way, where you can fundraise or donate - whether it’s a sunrise swim, hike, run, a bake sale, a car wash, a coffee morning, or something totally different. Rally your family, friends, and colleagues in your local area to make a difference.
Sign up and help stop suicide and be part of the change. Together, we can turn Darkness Into Light for those who need it most..
How will you take part?
Join Your Local Official Walk
With over 150 official walks across Ireland, you can come together and walk with your community and be part of the most important sunrise of the year.
Registration is now open.
Take Part Your Own Way
Would you, your school, club or business like to do something else?
Host a coffee morning, a non-uniform day, a sunrise swim, hike, a run, or something completely different!
We have some great fundraising tools & tips.
Contact Our Team
Get in touch with our experienced fundraising teams for assistance:
General Enquiries
School Enquiries
Club Enquiries
Corporate Enquiries
The History of Darkness into Light
In 2009, in the Phoenix Park in Dublin, 400 people set off on the inaugural Darkness Into Light 5km walk to raise funds for Pieta. From small beginnings, the movement has continued to grow, and now there are over 80,000 participants in Darkness Into Light each year.
Each year the walk provides an opportunity for people to connect with their local community and to bring hope to people who have been impacted by suicide. Our team of dedicated volunteers in Ireland and overseas, return year on year to make the event a success and to help us all continue to raise awareness and stop suicide and self-harm.
Pieta is 80% funded by fundraising events like Darkness Into Light. Since Darkness Into Light began, our supporters have helped Pieta raise over €40 million. So, Darkness Into Light directly contributes to enabling Pieta to provide services to people impacted by suicide and self-harm. Click here to learn more about Pieta services.
Pieta is so proud to have been supported by Electric Ireland since 2013. Together, Pieta and Electric Ireland and supporters across the world have grown Darkness Into Light into an act of solidarity for people affected by suicide and self-harm.
Safety
Please plan how you take part in Darkness Into Light carefully.
If you are near or in open water, please follow water safety guidelines and never swim in bad weather conditions or alone.
All participants in Darkness Into Light 2026 take part at their own risk.
