GUIDE: See details of the Darkness into Light walks taking place across Laois
Find details of your nearest Darkness into Light walk here
Across the county this weekend, dozens of Laois towns and villages will take part in the annual Darkness into Light charity walk for Pieta House.
Darkness Into Light (DIL) 2026, supported by Electric Ireland, will take place as dawn breaks across the world on Saturday, May 9.
Three of the official walks will take place in Portlaoise, Durrow and Portarlington, with community organised walks taking place across the county. Laois locals are advised to bring high visibility clothing and to register online beforehand.
Pictured: Durrow Darkness into Light, 2024
Leading the walk is current Rose of Tralee and Dancing with the Stars winner Katelyn Cummins, with live music from the Stradbally Community Choir, and a warm up exercise with Josh from Club Vitae in the Killeshin Hotel. Attendees should gather at the Irish Prison Service College in Beladd on Saturday May 9 for 4:15am.
Those registered for the Portarlington walk should gather at Portarlington GAA Club, Cooltederry R32 W202, with the walk set to start at 4:15am. Registration is available online, or there on the morning.
Durrow
The Durrow walk returns this year, where it will start and finish at the Lions Soccer Club located on the Cork Road, Durrow. The eircode for the starting point is R32 PD26.
Ratheniska
Park Ratheniska GAA Club will hold a walk again this year, with attendees asked to gather for 4am at the GAA grounds. Tea and Coffee available afterwards.
The Rathdowney walk leaves The Gym on main street at 4:30am. Coffees afterwards at Coffee to a Tea, with all proceeds donated to Pieta.
Courtwood GAA
Courtwood GAA invite all to join them at the clubhouse for 4am on Saturday morning. Refreshments available afterwards.
Timahoe
Timahoe will hold a walk leaving the Tower Inn at 4am, walking up to Fossey Mountain. Appropriate clothing and footwear recommended. Refreshments afterwards at the Tower Inn. All proceeds will go to Pieta.
Emo
Emo GAA invite you to join them at their pitch on Saturday morning, with the walk leaving at 4:15am.
Ballybrittas
O’Dempsey’s GFC will hold a Darkness into Light walk in conjunction with the Heritage Hotel. Participants are asked to meet at The Heritage’s spa and gym entrance at 4am. The walk is set to start at 4:15am, around the Heritage walking track. Refreshments served in the Heritage after the walk.
Spink
A Darkness into Light walk will be taking place in Spink. Attendees are asked to meet at the community field, ahead of the walk's start at 4:30am.