By Sean Moriarty

Photos: Konrad Paprocki

Over 4,500 people took part in the annual Darkness Into Light – Nathan’s Walk charity walk on Saturday morning which made a welcome return after a two year hiatus as a result of the pandemic.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

TEAM LONDON: Noel O'Sullivan Tara Cronin and Fiona O'Sullivan were amongst the large group of volunteers that helped run the Cricklewood London walk. Photo: Lucia Butler

The 5km walk, led by local Radio Kerry DJ Brendan Fuller from Killarney Racecourse and along the lake shore via Ross Castle, started under the cover of darkness at 4.15am and ended just as dawn was breaking raising awareness and funding for mental health by inviting walkers to take a journey from the darkness into the light.

Although scaled back versions of the walk – in compliance with social distancing rules – did take place over the last two years, the 2022 edition was the first time that a group walk was allowed go ahead since the outbreak of COVID.

“We had a great turn out,” founder Marie O'Carroll, who set up the Killarney walk in 2011 following the tragic loss of her 14-year-old son Nathan, told the Killarney Advertiser. “There was a great atmosphere. The crowd were very good and the Gardai told me there were over 4,500 people at the racecourse for the start."

The organisers paid tribute to volunteers, walkers and event sponsors Electric Ireland, JM Reidy’s and Independent Irish Health Foods for their support.

Meanwhile two walks took place in London and both had a direct Killarney influence on the organising team. Aghadoe’s Liam Kearney took charge of a walk on the London Irish Rugby Club’s training ground.

Tara Cronin looked after the Cricklewood-based launch which first took place in 2014.

She was helped by Ballaugh man Noel O’Sullivan, who is the president of the GAA in Britain, and his daughter Fiona.