IMPORTANT INFO | Darkness into Light Clontarf 2019

Below is some important information outlined by the Clontarf Darkness into Light Committee for the inaugural walk here in Clontarf. If you are registered to walk, please ensure you read tonight!

Registration

Registration for Darkness into Light Clontarf closed on April 29 with our maximum capacity reached. For health and safety reasons, we will not be able to accommodate those who have not registered who show up on the morning of the walk.

If you would still like to make a donation, you can do so through the easy-to-donate online system- https://www.darknessintolight.ie/donate-now

Route & Entry

Darkness into Light Clontarf is a 5km looped walk. Please ENTER & EXIT the event via the Clontarf Road/Alfie Byrne Road pedestrian entrances as per below map.

Participants should arrive at the start/finish areas by 3.45 AM.

The walk will begin at the green area beside the Hollybrook Road/Clontarf Road car park and will go up the cycle track to the Wooden Bridge.

From there, walkers will turn around and walk on the seaside path towards the Hollybrook Road/Clontarf Road car park, where the walk will finish. There will be volunteers along the route to direct participants. 

While we have completed the necessary precautions in making this route as safe as possible, we advise walkers to be conscious of their footing as it will be dark.

Runners 

The purpose of Darkness into Light is for participants to walk in solidarity and show support for those who have been bereaved by suicide. While running is permitted, we remind runners that this event is not a race and to be conscious off your footing as the route is quite narrow in places and it will be dark.

Dogs

Dogs are welcome at Darkness into Light Clontarf on the condition that they are kept on a short lead and kept under control at all times. All dog-owners must also ensure to clean up after their dogs and we ask dog-owners to wait until the majority of walkers have left the start line to begin their walk.  

Finally, we ask dog owners to be mindful that this is a community event and there will be children and other dogs around so all dogs must be well-behaved. 

Noise 

As our walk is in a residential area, we ask all participants to be conscious of noise levels.

Our walk is a time to remember those who have been lost to suicide. We, therefore, ask walkers to be respectful of participants that may be bereaved by keeping noise to a minimal.  

At the halfway point at the Wooden Bridge, we will have a ‘Reflective Kilometer’. This is a 'silent' section to reflect on why you walk. In solidarity, in support, in memory, in hope...to

Cash donations

For security reasons we would like to make Darkness into Light Clontarf a cashless event so we do not encourage participants to bring donation money with them. If you would like to donate before or after the event, please click the link below to our easy donation system here: https://www.darknessintolight.ie/donate-now 

Money and valuables 

Participants should also be advised to leave all valuables at home and bring only a small amount of money with them, should they need it. Pieta House are not responsible for any loss or damage to goods or property. There will not be any bag drop at this event.

What to bring

Participants should come ready to walk in the appropriate attire and footwear. If walkers have received a Darkness into Light t-shirt, we ask they wear it in solidarity during the walk. As it may be quite dark at some points on the route, walkers and are advised to bring a small torch with them for their safety. 

Parking

We are asking for your cooperation in minimising the parking requirement for this weekend's event in Clontarf. How we manage car parking will be a key factor in determining our capacity for next year's event.

If you are travelling a short distance we would be grateful if you could walk to the event. If you are coming from further afield please look for opportunities to carpool where possible.

Those driving to the event should also arrive early to allow time to arrive at the DIL START point at 4 AM latest. 

PARKING AREAS 

*Car Parks*

- Scoil Ui Chonaill GAA Club, 95 Clontarf Road

- Clasac Theatre, Alfie Byrne Road

- Clontarf Road Public Car Park near DART station (Free before 8am)

- Clontarf Dart Station Park stations (Pay & Display 24 hours)

- Carpark Between Clontarf Garda Station & Foodroom (Pay & Display 25 hours)

*Street Parking*

(not applicable where there is a single white line in the centre of the road or in bus lane)

-Alfie Byrne Road

-Clontarf Road

-Adjacent smaller residential streets

Note: The public car park opposite Hollybrook Road will not be available for parking for health and safety reasons.

Medical Facilities

Should any participant require medical assistance, we ask them to contact the nearest steward immediately and they will direct the Civil Defence ambulance to assist them. In the event of a major emergency, the emergency services will be contacted immediately.

Toilets

Toilet facilities will be located near the start/finish

Photography  

All participants should be aware that we will be capturing still and moving photography during this event. 

Family meeting point 

The Darkness into light Clontarf Family Meeting Point is located near the stage at the Hollybrook road/Clontarf road car park. This will be the meeting point in the event of lost children or children found unaccompanied. We ask that adults report to the nearest steward in the event of a lost child. 

Elderly

Should any elderly walkers decide to partake in Darkness into Light Clontarf, we ask they have a walking companion/assistance to ensure their safety throughout. 

Children 

Once registered, Children under 18 are very welcome at Darkness Into Light, however, they must be accompanied by an adult at all times during the event. In the instance of a large group, one adult supervisor is required per 10 children. Pieta House, adhere to the Children First National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children (2017).

This guidance is a primary reference for all citizens to report concerns and includes the new legislative obligation.

It provides clarity between the legislation and the existing non-statutory obligations and will continue to operate for all sectors of society.

Tusla - Child and Family Agency: https://www.tusla.ie/children-first/publications-and-forms/