Thousands of people across Kildare turn out to support annual Darkness Into Light walk

Thousands of people across Kildare were out early this morning to take part in the annual Darkness Into Light walk that took place in four places around the county.

The increasingly popular event, which raises vital money for suicide prevention charity Pieta House, has grown exponentially in Ireland since its first event in the Phoenix Park in 2009, where 400 people took part. In 2017 more than 180,000 across Ireland registered for the 5km walk in over 180 locations to help raise awareness and funds for the Lucan-based charity.

On Saturday morning events were held in Athy, Maynooth, Monasterevin and Naas, with large crowds attending all.

The walks got underway at each venue at around 4.15am, with the sun rising shortly after 5.30am to create a beautiful scene. Walkers certainly got lucky with the weather as the sunshine immediately radiated across the skyline once it rose.

This year's Darkness Into Light fundraiser is expected to be the biggest ever, and judging by the images from across Kildare, it was well supported in this county too.

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