Laois town cancels its Darkness Into Light 2025 event

A Laois town has cancelled its popular Darkness Into Light Walk this year.

It leaves two of the uplifting events for Pieta House in Laois to choose from.

Durrow is a newcomer having hosted the 5km walk for only two years, but despite that they got huge numbers, with 600 participants last year, spurred on by a host of local musicians playing live.

Their committee made the announcement in a notice on social media.

"2025 Update. We are sorry to say that Durrow Darkness into Light is taking a break for this year, we will be back next year bigger and better! We are really lucky to have walks going on in Portlaoise and Kilkenny and if you have registered already for Durrow, you can take part in these alternative walks. 

"Please get in touch with Sinead if you have any queries @ sinead.nolan@pieta.ie Many thanks to everyone for all their support in Durrow for the last two years. See you next year," they say.

There are two remaining candlit walks in Laois, Darkness Into Light Portlaoise and also Darkness Into Light Portarlington.

See photos from 2024 Laois Darkness Into Light walks here.

Portlaoise's walk starts on the Dublin Road, outside Portlaoise Prison College, taking a route around the town, gather at 4.15am.

Portarlington is based at Portarlington GAA Club near the train station.  Both will have music, refreshments, and a chance to remember lost loved ones and connect to each other, gathering from 4am.

Registration is open online now.

Darkness Into Light (DIL) 2025, supported by Electric Ireland, will take place as dawn breaks across the world on Saturday, May 10. There are over 200 walks across Ireland as well as in the UK and across the world.

Entry is €22 for adults, €5 for teens, and free to under 13s (accompanied). Supporters can also help by buying their eyecatching yellow t-shirts or other items in the online shop.

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 impacted by suicide and self-harm.

Read also: No more Durrow Scarecrow Festival but new Hollywood fundraiser in the works.

Last year DIL helped to fund nearly 51,500 hours of professional counselling, free of charge to anyone in need. They have 24 centres across Ireland, with the nearest to Laois being in Roscrea and in Leixlip. 

Pieta provides a range of services to individuals who experience suicidal ideation, engage in self-harm, or are bereaved by suicide.

Learn more about Pieta services on https://www.darknessintolight.ie/about/about-pieta-other-services