Darkness Into Light

by Niamh Connolly

Dungarvan 2015

As the heavy rain of the last few days finally cleared to reveal a calm, crisp night. Quietly at first, then in their hundreds, finally nearly 2,700 people gathered in St. Augustine’s College to walk from Darkness into Light to help Pieta House wage its war against suicide and self-harm.

Photo: Dylan Walsh Photography

The Friary TY students sang beautifully as the crowds gathered, many signing tags for our new Tree of Peace, which will be buried along the route next week, with all the messages buried underneath it.

Photo: ‘I do’ photography

Next, Trish Quirke sang beautifully, representing Ardmore Grange & Youghal, all the more poignant as only that day their community had been stunned by a tragic loss of life to suicide.

Dylan Walsh Photography

Local rugby hero Niamh Briggs, captain of the Irish women’s rugby team then addressed the crowd, delighted at the huge numbers of young people participating, and urging them to continue to look after their own mental health, and that of their friends, by being open if they need help.

Tom Street ‘Tucker’ took to the stage next and had the whole crowd linking arms and singing together, a wonderful, emotional experience for everyone present.

Joan Freeman’s letter to the 100,000 people taking part around the world was then read, acknowledging how the people of Ireland have taken up the call of Pieta, turning a shout into a roar!

“As you walk today, I am asking you to share that journey with anyone you see walking alone. Lighten their load – shorten their road and share your story.  And of course the people who have gone before us – they too are sharing this journey with us, they too are leading the way for us.  As we say in Irish, “Giorraíonn beirt bóthar”… company shortens the road.“

Photo: John Foley Photography

The Final guests to the stage were members of the Waterford Hurling League Champions Team, including Dan and Maurice Shanahan, Colin Dunford, Jamie Barron, and Fergal O’Brien of the management team.

Photo: Michelle Murphy Photography

Dan spoke passionately about never losing hope, how important life and family is, and to talk, just keep talking when problems might be getting you down. He and the team members received a rapturous response, before he and members of the committee cut the ribbon and launched the walk.

Photo: John Foley Photography

The next 2 hours created a ribbon of yellow through Abbeyside and to Barnawee, passing the huge signs of HOPE and HELP made by the wonderful Men’s Shed, as nearly 3,000 people weaved their way back to the Friary College where hot refreshments, and wonderful music by Nuadán & the TY choir awaited them.

Photo: Michelle Murphy Photography

The Banner of Hope was signed, more tags were added to our tree of peace, families & friends gathered for photos, and then slowly, in no hurry to leave the wonderful atmosphere of camaraderie and friendship, people drifted home to think and reflect; “You are not alone, talk, just keep talking.”