Local Faces: Michelle Byrne and Lorraine Nugent Murphy

DARKNESS Into light began life as a 400 strong group of people who walked five kilometres in the Phoenix Park to raise awareness for Pieta, an organisation which provides support and services to people affected by suicide and self-harm.

From those humble beginnings, Darkness into Light has become a worldwide phenomenon, working with overseas partners to create an event which now attracts 150,000 participants each year.

Established in 2020, Darkness into Light Corkagh Park is organised by a team of just eight local women.

Corkagh Park Darkness into Light’s first walk took place in 2022 and raised an astounding €31,902 with approximately 1,500 in attendance.

This year’s Corkagh Park Darkness into Light was even bigger and better.

Approximately 3,000 people descended on Corkagh Park in the early hours of Saturday, May 6, helping to raise over €45,000 (and counting).

At the forefront of the organisation of the event are two formidable local women, Michelle Byrne and Lorraine Nugent Murphy.

Michelle and Lorraine are co-chairpersons of the event’s management committee and following this year’s hugely successful walk, The Echo had a chance to speak to them about how they got involved.

“I’m originally from Tallaght, but I moved down to Clondalkin in 2000 with my husband, and I’ve been involved with various community enterprises since then,” Michelle tells me.

“And I’ve lived in Clondalkin all my life,” says Lorraine.

“Raised on Station Road, and I’m still in the area.”

“Both of us were deeply impacted by the death through suicide of a very close mutual friend of ours,” says Michelle, “so when we had the chance to work with Pieta setting up an annual walk for Clondalkin, we were only too keen to get involved.”

Lorraine continues: “The event is important to us as it is an opportunity for families and communities to come together and to bring hope to people and families who have been impacted by suicide.

“The walk provides an opportunity for people to connect with their local community.

“It was so uplifting to see our community come together in support of each other and to shine a light on such important issues.

“The atmosphere and energy was amazing and people went out of their way to greet each other.”

“People then walked for about five kilometres” adds Michelle, “and at the end of the course, people were offered refreshments and had a chance to talk and share the experience together.

“It was a beautiful morning, and we made sure that the word hope was the central theme of the event.

“We were very impressed by the amount of people that turned up this year! It was breath-taking to see everyone arrive in huge numbers.

“Some like to walk as individuals but there were a number of families present with their children and family pets and also a large presence of young people, which was great to see,” says Michelle.

With characteristic modesty, Lorraine and Michelle were very keen to credit the involvement of many local people and organisations.

Local Zumba instructor Lorraine Smith taught a group of local schoolkids a choreographed dance to Cyndi Lauper’s famous hit ‘Time after Time’ to help raise awareness of the walk.

Colaiste Bride, Moyle Park College, Holy Family Community School Rathcoole, Deansrath Community College and Ballyfermot Youth Services all got involved.

There was a real party atmosphere on the day and the message of hope and support in the song’s lyrics shone through.

“Students and teachers from Moyle Park decorated part of our route,” Says Lorraine.

“We hope to involve more secondary schools next year by asking them to do the same!”

There was also a “reflective” Kilometre on route.

This was decorated with hand painted glass jars from local schools and children from Crosscare and by all accounts, made for a spectacular and uplifting sight.

“It was a privilege to have Stephanie Bowden our local Ambassador supporting us this year, and thanks to the St John’s Ambulance crew who volunteered their time, again, for the second year running,” they say.

Michelle continues: “We are very grateful for the support of local musicians who helped us create such a special atmosphere: Shared Spirit Vocal Group who’s manager, Ray, was our sound engineer for the duration of the event, The RAMs in Rhythm, Taylor D, Jack Whelan, Laura Hand and Catherine Byrne.”

“The 142nd Esker Scouts were a tremendous help on the morning, donating and erecting two Marquees,” adds Lorraine.

Toners lent the event a truck to use as a stage, Artastic provided a centrepiece, the Sun erected on top of a hill in the park.

Local shops and businesses also offered support, including Corkagh Cafe, Bear, Dunnes Stores in the Mill Centre, Fulfill, Tesco and Securitas Technologies Ireland who kindly purchased flashlights for our volunteers this year.

The walk was also generously supported by Raymond Greally the Park Ranger, SDCC and Clondalkin Garda Station.

Round Towers GAA also lent some lighting and their storage container.

Ricky at Wilson’s Auctions gave access to his property grounds for parking.

Lorraine and Michelle remind me that none of it would have been possible without the team of eight committee members, Lorraine Murphy, Michelle Byrne, Niamh Fitzsimons, Sharon Greene, Dee Whelan, Grainne Byrne, Emer Higgins and Teresa Kelly.

Each member dedicated their spare time to endless hours of planning for the event and many a coffee-fuelled late night was endured.

They also credit the great support they received from Pieta co-ordinator, Sinead Ronan Wells.

Over 100 volunteers were recruited to assist with the event’s morning roll out, including a team of refugee men staying at Citywest Hotel which was organised by Volunteer Ireland.

“They brought an amazing Spirit to the event with such positive attitudes and a smile for everyone they met,” say the duo.

Our Safety and Signage team (“mostly the husbands!” – Lorraine) took care of putting up all of the necessary signage and setting the course of the walk.

CORE building supplied some timber for use for signage. Michelle and Lorraine are already busy planning their 2024 event.

Anyone who would like to get involved can do so by emailing corkaghpark@darknessintolight.ie “It’s our Community working together,” they remind me, “that has made the last two years such a success and enabled us to also raise vital funds to support the people in our community too.”

With Michelle and Lorraine at the helm, expect Darkness into Light Corkagh Park to go from strength to strength in future years.

If you have been affected by this piece, contact HOPE Tallaght on 087 136 3082, Samaritans on 116 123, or Pieta House in Ballyfermot on 01- 6235606 or in Lucan at 01-6010000.

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