Rose of Tralee to lead Laois prison's Darkness into Light walk in Portlaoise
Katelyn Cummins to lead Midlands Prison's walk in aid of Pieta
A Laois prison has organised huge Darkness into Light walk in Portlaoise, all in aid of Pieta House.
Midlands Prison is once again organising the Portlaoise Darkness into Light walk, heading from the Irish Prison Service College in Beladd on Saturday May 9 at 4:15am.
Leading the walk this year is current Rose of Tralee and Dancing with the Stars winner Katelyn Cummins.
The organising committee have announced live music from the Stradbally Community Choir, and a warm up exercise with Josh from Club Vitae in the Killeshin Hotel.
In 2023 the Irish Prison Service became the first public or private employer to be awarded the prestigious Amber Flag by Pieta.
"This recognition highlights the Service's unwavering commitment to fostering mental well-being and creating inclusive and supportive environments within its organisation," a representative of Portlaoise's Darkness into Light walk said.
"These flags still fly proudly outside all of our facilities."
Darkness Into Light is a global 5km walk/run held at 4:15am in May each year to raise funds for Pieta. The charity specialises in suicide prevention and self-harm counseling. The sunrise walk symbolises moving from darkness into hope.
Pieta is 85% funded by fundraising events like DIL. Since the first walk in 2009 in the Phoenix Park Dublin, its supporters have helped Pieta raise over €36 million, to provide services to people in need.
The Portlaoise walk is facilitated in partnership with Laois gardaí and Electric Ireland, with its launch recently attended by Dan Bergin of Laois PPN.
The Darkness into Light Walk takes place on Saturday 9th May 2026 at 4.15am. Dozens of unofficial walks are taking place across the county, with official ones taking place in Durrow, Portarlington and Portlaoise.
Durrow will once again host the annual fundraising walk, having cancelled last year's walk despite 600 people taking part in their 2024 fundraiser.
For a full guide to the Darkness into Light walks taking place across Laois, keep an eye on the Leinster Express / Laois Live website.