Over 100 boats sail for Darkness into Light

Dawn on Saturday morning (7 May) saw 108 boats all over the country greeting the sunrise as part of Darkness into Light. Fundraising so far is nearing €10,000.

Darkness into Light is Pieta’s annual fundraising campaign to raise vital funds for people affected by suicide and self harm. The aim of the campaign is to bring people together in various events around the country, beginning in darkness at sunrise and continuing through to dawn to symbolise the journey from despair to hope.

We know that sailing and being on the water has huge mental health benefits – Darkness into Light is a great way of joining people together to be the light against the dark.

On the water were a mix of dinghies, cruisers and ribs, and joined by paddleboarders and rowers, to see a spectacular sunrise with 9 clubs taking part: Bantry Bay SC, Bray SC, Blessington SC, Galway City SC, Galway Bay SC, Galway Hooker SC, Howth YC, Royal Irish YC and Royal St George YC. You can still donate via the links below.

This year was the first year that Irish Sailing coordinated a nationwide effort to support the Darkness into Light campaign, so if you’re already thinking about getting involved in 2023, please get in touch: communications@sailing.ie

Bantry Bay SC
... https://www.bantrybaysailingclub.ie/article/pieta-house-fundraising-darkness-into-light

Bray SC
... https://www.braysailingclub.ie/article/darkness-into-light

Galway City SC
... https://www.darknessintolight.ie/fundraisers/wwwgalwaycitysailingclubcom/galway

Galway Bay SC
... https://www.darknessintolight.ie/fundraisers/galwaybaysailingclub

Galway Hooker SC
... https://www.darknessintolight.ie/fundraisers/galwayhookersailingclub/galway

Howth YC
... https://hyc.ie/social_events/231

Royal Irish YC
... https://www.darknessintolight.ie/fundraisers/valdaboardman/dublin

Royal St George YC
... https://www.rsgyc.ie/2022/04/darkness-into-light-sail-event-saturday-7th-may/