All-inclusive guide for Darkness Into Light around Donegal

All over Donegal, people are gearing up for the annual Darkness Into Light 5k charity walk.

Darkness Into Light begins at 4:15am on Saturday, May 11 and will take place in over 200 places around the country and at 15 official Donegal locations.

This list serves as an all-inclusive guide to the fundraisers across Donegal. Official Darkness Into Light walks will be held on Arranmore Island, Ballybofey-Stranorlar, Buncrana, Burtonport, Bundoran, Carndonagh, Carrick, Carrigart, Donegal Town, Dungloe, Greencastle, Gweedore, Letterkenny, Narin-Portnoo, Rathmullan and Tory Island. 

Additional charity walks will be held in Malin, Ballintra and Maghery, aiming to provide vital funds for local charities. Globally people come together for the most important sunrise of the year, beginning in darkness and continuing through to dawn, symbolising the journey from despair to hope.

The main beneficiary of the walk is Pieta House, a charity which provides support to those impacted by self-harm and suicide. Without the Darkness Into Light supporters, Pieta couldn’t continue to provide these vital services for free as it is 80% financed by fundraising events.

Darkness into Light is a community event, run by volunteers which requires a team of people to ensure it runs every year. All official Darkness into Light walks undergo risk assessments and have the relevant insurance cover before the walk can take place. Electric Ireland sponsors Darkness into Light and has offered to double donations. 

There are many ways you can take part in this year's event:

1. Register for your local 5km. 
2. Take part your own way: walk, swim, bike, or simply enjoy the sunrise.
3. Challenge yourself: run a marathon, hike 10km or even do a skydive.
4. Create your own Fundraiser: from bake sales to race nights and everything in between. 
5. Volunteer at a local Darkness Into Light event

Arranmore 

The annual Darkness Into Light fundraiser will start at Ionad an Chrois Bhealaigh, Fal a Gabhann, Árainn Mhór, F92 YT52. The start time for all official Darkness Into Light events is Saturday, May 11 at 4:15am. 

Ballybofey and Stranorlar

The Twin Towns have received the support of Sean Mac Cumhaill's teams for the fundraising event. The starting point is located at the Finn Valley Centre, Millbrae, Stranorlar F93 NV0T

Buncrana

The walking route has remained the same as last year, going through Swan Park and the meeting point is located at Scoil Mhuire, Saint Oran's Road, Buncrana, F93 PN53

“Well-behaved dogs are welcome!! Please keep them on a short lead and pick up after them,” Darkness Into Light Buncrana has said.  “It is also advisable to bring a torch for personal use and wear a high viz/reflective top. If you’re walking in memory of someone and would like to carry a picture or a memory of them please feel free. We will welcome all back to the hall for refreshments and a chat after the walk.”

Burtonport 

Burtonport’s first-ever Darkness into Light will be held at the Community Centre in Lackenagh, F94VW95. 

The Burtonport Darkness Into Light Committee are seeking volunteers/stewards to help out, the walk will begin at 4:15am so volunteers will be needed at the Burtonport Community Centre at 3:15am, with those taking part to gather from 3:45pm. 

There is a limited number of t-shirts available if you want to register in the morning. However, registration is still open online. Well-behaved dogs are welcome!! Please keep them on a short lead and pick up after them,” Darkness Into Light Burtonport said.  “It is also advisable to bring a torch for personal use and wear a high viz/reflective top. If you’re walking in memory of someone and would like to carry a picture or a memory of them please feel free. We will welcome all back to the hall for refreshments and a chat after the walk.”

Bundoran

While it used to begin on the town’s main street, this year it will start at 4:15am beside the new library which is currently hosting the Bundoran Community Centre on the site of the old town council offices. Anyone available to volunteer is asked to meet at the council offices at 3am. Please contact the Realt na Mara GAA club chairman Tommy Hourihane on 0868642843 if available to help.

Carndonagh

The Carndonagh Darkness Into Light will take place at Spraoi agus Sport Unit 7 -Unit 9 - Unit 10 Supervalu Carndonagh, F93 EWV3

Carrick

Darkness Into Light will begin at the Carrick Community Hall, An Charraig, F94 RY91

If you would like to volunteer should it be Stewarts along the route on the night of the walk, or putting up posters prior to the event or helping with the tea on the night. Contact any of the following for more info: Anne Hegarty  087 6301206; Brid Child 086 8596795; Collette Byrne  087 6834517; or  Fiona Doherty 087 2106330. 

Carrigart 

Carrigart Darkness Into Light will start at the Donegal Boardwalk Resort, Cuan Na Rí, Carrigart, F92 X3WP

“Preparation is well underway, route checked and relevant risk assessments done,” Carrigart Darkness Into Light shared. “Again this year we will have Mulroy Coast Guard in attendance along with members of Mevagh Fire Service. We hope you can join us for a beautiful sunrise walk the weather's looking to be good.” 

Donegal Town

The starting point of the Donegal Town Darkness Into Light is situated at the St John Bosco Community Centre, Railway Park. 

Dunfanaghy

Together with Dunfanaghy Youths FC participants will meet at Dunfanaghy Golf Club car park for the 4:15am set off on the walk on Killahoey Beach. 

Second Edition Coffee is joining again this year. They will be set up at the beach car park ready to get participants heated up with a hot drink after the walk/swim. 

For those of you who fancy a sunrise swim instead or as well as the walk, the folks from ItSauna trailer will also at the beach car park.

If any other local clubs or anyone else wants to get involved, please feel free to get in touch for this, community event for everyone. Collection buckets will be around on the morning of the walk/swim or people can also donate online.

Greencastle

Greencastle will host their first official Darkness Into Light event on Saturday at 4.15am. 

“We would encourage club members to support this great event by donating and getting out and active,” Greencastle Darkness Into Light shared. 

Darkness Into Light will begin at Scoil Cholmcille, Eleven Ballyboes, Greencastle, F93 E890.

Registrations will be held on Friday from 1pm to 2pm in the main building of Moville Community College/

Gweedore

The starting point is located at the Gweedore Theatre, Factory Road, Derrybeg, F92 A718

Letterkenny

The first Darkness Into Light held in Donegal was in Letterkenny 10 years ago. Darkness into Light starts on Saturday at 4:15am at An Dánlann ATU and will finish there too. The walk goes via Ballyraine, Gortlee, Tesco Roundabout, up Main Street, by Paddy Harte back towards Tesco and ATU

Narin/Portnoo

If any musicians would like to help out on the charity walk would you mind contacting Portnoo on the Darkness into Light Facebook page please. 

The starting point is at the Dolemen Eco Centre, Kilcooney Beg, Portnoo, F94 DN83

Rathmullan

The starting point is at the Beach Car Park in Rathmullan. 

Tory Island

The starting point is at The Health Centre, Tory Island

Charity Walks: 

Maghery

There is a very special walk in Maghery, all in aid of Gemma's Legacy of Hope, which is the local counselling service for many things, including mental health.  The Sunrise Walk Our walk begins at 4:15am sharp on Saturday. 

Registration takes place on the morning of the event and is open from 3:10am until 4:10am. Our walk will start and finish at Ionad An Mhachaire F94 TD52.

The distance of the walk is 3.5km approx. or 5,000 Steps for Hope around the Cullion loop. 

The cost is €15 (cash only) per adult which includes entry to 3.5km sunrise walk, Steps for Hope T-Shirt, Steps for Hope tealight, sausage/bacon bap and tea/coffee and a donation to Gemma’s Legacy of Hope.  

All kids under the age of 12 are free. Their entry includes entry to 3.5km Sunrise Walk, sausage/bacon bap and tea or juice. All kids must be accompanied by an adult. 

Those taking part are asked to wear walking shoes suitable for roads and be prepared for all weather. Bring your own water bottle, if you feel you may need a drink while out walking If you would like to donate but are unable to attend, you can transfer any amount to our Steps for Hope bank account. 

Many of our young people abroad have asked about this, so we are delighted to be able to accept Bank Transfers. AIB Dungloe, - IBAN: IE59AIBK93733926155080 - BIC: AIBKIE2D. 

Bookings for Gemma's Legacy of Hope Community Counselling and Play Therapy service can be made by ringing the pastoral centre on 074 91 21853 between 9:30am – 5pm Monday to Friday.

Malin Head 

The Malin Head community are organising their 2nd “Walk Into the Light for Mental Health” in aid of Hughies Corner, Carndonagh.

The walk is planned for the morning of May 11 and will be leaving the Crossroads at 4am to walk to Banbas Crown for the sunrise. It is an informal event that might raise some money for a local charity that benefits this community. Last year the organisers raised over €1k and its hoped that we can raise more this year. Each donation will be a beacon of hope for Hughie's Corner and the people it serves.

The organisers are looking for helpers to assist this year. We need bucket collectors, a musician for the tower area, and people to serve tea and coffee. We also need help to put the candles out on the way to the tower. If you can help contact Ali at the community centre. 

Ballintra

Naomh Bríd GAA Club will be opening the track officially at 4am, so please support and come along to what promises to be a memorable morning in association with Darkness into Light on Saturday. Refreshments will be provided along with some musical acts.