WATCH: Drops of Green add magic as 600 attend Durrow Darkness Into Light

Happy participants at Durrow Darkness into Light.

placeholder image — Happy participants at Durrow Darkness into Light.

Laois town had a huge turnout for their second Darkness Into Light

A huge crowd came to Durrow from near and far for their second annual Darkness Into Light at dawn last Saturday, May 11.

The Irish Aurora Borealis gave way to a stunning dawn as 600 walkers and runners, aged as young as six years old, gathered at the Scarecrow Festival town's Lions Club soccer pitch.

Drops of Green, a five man band from Laois, Kilkenny and Waterford, added a drop of magic to the morning, playing a full hour before the walk, then breaking into single groups to play to the crowds along the lovely route that took in Durrow Woods.

Ruth Campion was one of the Durrow Darkness into Light committee.

"It went great, we were so lucky, the weather helped. We had over 600 participants, amazing for our second year. With big attendences I'm sure in Portlaoise and Portarlington it's great for Laois overall.

"Drops of Green were amazing and gave us great support, engaging the crowds. They performed with local kids as young as 7 and 11. We had a great amount of young people involved.

"A young boy and his dad ran it together, and were the first back. Our youngest participant who walked it, Anna, was aged just six. It makes mental health normal for children, they call it a 'kindness walk'.

"We welcomed people from not just here, but Rathdowney, Ballyragget, Mountmellick and even Carlow. A huge thanks to all the volunteers and participants. Everyone just jumps on board on the morning. People were turning up with home baking, it's very humbling," Ruth said.

A total of the sums raised at each Laois walk will follow when all funds are counted.