Thousands take the walk from Darkness Into Light in Meath

Gavan Becton

Published: Sat 11 May 2019, 6:02 AM

Last updated: Sat 11 May 2019, 7:05 AM

Thousands of people took the walk from Darkness Into Light across Co Meath this morning with the aim of remembering loved ones lost to suicide.

Five walk/runs took place at 4.15 this morning with Trim celebrating their inaugural events with Moynalty and Enfield into their second year. Nearly 2,000 people made their way to Fairyhouse Racecourse while Navan greeted over 2,000 people for its seventh Darkness Into Light Walk/Run.

Once again the weather was magnificent for walking as families young and old rose from their beds along with 200,000 across the country with another 19 countries also participating in Darkness Into Light.

Navan event organiser, Eugene Smith, praised all the participants who showed up at Navan RFC. He thanked all the volunteers who helped marshall the crowds as well as Meath Civil Defence and Meath River Rescue who were also on hand for the event.

There was a massive turnout in Trim for the first Darkness Into Light walk which included a special 'reflective mile' which saw walkers and and runners quielty making their way through the candlelit Porchfields towards the Yellow Steeple.

Please send us your videos/pics and comments on as very special morning in Co Meath - Email news@meathchronicle.ie

Minister Damien English and family at Navan RFC after the walk

Maeve and Haley Twomey from Kells.

Early start... Leah Cahill, Sarah Cahill & Emily Costelloe Cassells.

By Fergal Lynch

Over 3000 sleepy heads, 2500 mugs of tea, 500 cups of coffee, 110 marshalls, stewards and volunteers, six committee members, 5km and one common cause united an already strong community in Trim as they hosted their first Darkness Into Light walk in the early hours of Saturday morning.

Trim, Athboy, Kildalkey, Longwood and many areas surrounding the south Meath community have been hit hard with personal stories of suicide and mental health issues over the last few years and in solidarity with those affected by the trauma of loss over 3000 people walked the 5km around the beautiful scenic town of Trim in perfect weather conditions.

With Navan hosting a hugely successful Darkness Into Light walk for six years with crowds exceeding capacity, the addition of Trim to the Pieta House-event was very much welcomed and the response from the local community was over-whelming as committee chairman James Murray revealed after the walk.

“There have been many hours of hard work, organisation and commitment put into trying to make this first Darkness Into Light walk in Trim a success, but what has happened here this morning has far exceeded even our wildest expectations,” explained Murray.

“We have been hit hard in this community over the last few years, no more than any other town and village across the country I suppose, but we wanted to show the people of Trim that their community is with them and we are here when you need us.

“That attitude was very much evident here this morning. I really cannot believe the numbers that turned out. The perfect weather conditions certainly helped, but I like to think that we had one of the most beautiful, varied and entertaining 5kms in the country.

“All this wouldn't have been possible without our extremely hard working committee, army of volunteers, Trim GAA and the sponsorship of many businesses around the town.

“It really was a community success. I don't know where it will go from here, but for our very first event it was way beyond our wildest dreams,” concluded Murray.

There is no denying the Trim walk was one of the most picturesque and varied in the country.

Walking from the local GAA club and heading out towards Newtown Abbey before returning through Porchfields where there were three different musical acts providing entertainment by the beautiful Yellow Steeple and Trim Castle, then back through the St Patrick's Church grounds the walkers and runners were not shy of a selfie moment or two.

There were a few runners who took on the 5km and the first man home was former champion jockey jockey Colin Keane and the early rise obviously had no ill-effects on him as he went on to ride a 392/1 treble of winners at Naas on Saturday afternoon.

Pics from Colleen Hackett & Elaine Melia