The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Darkness into Light ready to conquer Cahersiveen again
CAHERSIVEEN is no stranger to the phenomenon that is the annual Darkness into Light Pieta House fundraiser.
Indeed, this May will be the fourth time the town has hosted one of the iconic five-kilometre walks.
Last year, around 350 people completed the route laid out in Cahersiveen, and the 2019 event’s recent launch in the Skellig Star Hotel will, hopefully, be a first step towards a similarly successful event this year.
“I’d safely say 350 took part in 2018,” said Jackie Cournane, acting chairperson of the local ‘Darkness into Light’ organising committee.
“We had our launch recently in the Skellig Star Hotel, and on the morning of the walk itself, May 11, we’ll set off from Coláiste na Sceilge at 4.15am.”
The Darkness into Light sensation traces its roots back to 2009, when the inaugural staging took place in Dublin’s Phoenix Park. Since then, it has captured imaginations nationwide and worldwide. Cahersiveen is no exception. Gaelic Football legend and Coláiste na Sceilge principal Maurice Fitzgerald was among those present at the launch for this year’s event, as were Peter Hurley and Con O’Connor of Pieta House, and a host of organisers.
The 2019 route will take participants from Coláiste na Sceilge out towards Renard, before completing a loop back to the school.
There, a good batch of refreshments will be on offer to the hardy walkers who decide to get up before dawn and don the iconic t-shirts included in the registration fee.
“They [Pieta House] are really pushing for people to register online this year,” Jackie said. “So make sure to get this done by logging on to www.darknessintolight.ie.”