Excitement builds as locals get ready for Darkness Into Light in Ballybofey-Stranorlar

Darkness Into Light is taking place in the early hours of tomorrow morning  Saturday, May 6. 

People from Ballybofey-Stranorlar will gather for the Darkness Into Light event for only the second time ever.

Participants have been advised to register before this but the organisers will be able to take a small number of registrations in the morning as volunteers will be busy with other tasks. 

The Ballybofey-Stranorlar event will start and finish at the Finn Valley Centre.  The walk starts sharp at 4.15am. Participants can arrive from 3.45am onward.  Everyone is reminded that as they will be meeting outside they should wrap up warm. Toilets will be available.

There are two routes this year, explained one of the organisers.

"We’ve added a short route of approximately 1.5km for those who may feel unable to walk the long route, but still want to take part. It will go out from the Finn Valley Centre, through Ard McCool, down Stranorlar Main Street and back along the Mart Road.

"The full route will go through Ard McCool, up Drumboe Avenue and through the woods. It will continue down Beechwood Avenue, the Back Lane, around the riverside walk at MacCumhaills GAA Club and back up Railway Road to the Finn Valley Centre.  Be sure to bring a torch or a personal light for the section in the woods. This route is just short of 5km. Anyone who wants to complete a full 5km is welcome to use the track at the Finn Valley to finish up."

Other points to note

Toilets: There will be toilets available at the Finn Valley Centre and at Sean MacCumhaill's GAA Club.

Parking: Please note: there will be no parking on the Railway Road or in Ard McCool or along Main Street in Stranorlar. This is to respect the local residents and to ensure the safety of all participants.  Parking is available at: Ballybofey's main car park, Raitt's car park, beside Homesavers in Stranorlar and many other points around the towns. We encourage you to arrive in plenty of time to park and reach the start point on time.

Darkness Into Light T-Shirts: No t-shirts are available for anyone registering after April 28.

Leave No Trace: Please respect our environment. Leave only footprints, take only memories.  

Share: Taking photos for social media on the day? Share your memories by tagging us on Facebook or Instagram and use the hashtags #dilballybofeystranorlar #DIL2022

More Information: If you need any more information or have any questions about the event, please contact the organisers via their Facebook page - @DILBallybofeyStranorlar  or phone at (083) 8820822

Volunteers: If you can volunteer your help the organisers would love to hear from you. They need stewards for the route, people to help with tea and coffee, and registration. They would particularly like to hear from any musicians who could come out and play at key points on the route.