Darkness Into Light 2026: Free Phoenix Park Shuttle Bus

Image credit: Matt Walsh

The annual Darkness Into Light fundraising event in aid of suicide prevention charity Pieta takes place at sunrise on Saturday 9th May 2026 across Ireland and around the world. Dublin’s Phoenix Park will once again host a 5km walk as part of the event, beginning at 4.15am.

Dublin Bus is providing a free return shuttle bus service from stop 7078 on Parkgate Street to the starting point of the walk on Chesterfield Road. Shuttle buses to the park will begin operating from 1am on Saturday morning, with return services operating from the Phoenix Monument to Parkgate Street directly after the walk.

Event organisers advise that participants arrive at least 45 minutes before the 4.15am start time.

Darkness Into Light began in Dublin’s Phoenix Park in 2009, when 400 people took part in the inaugural walk. Since then, the event has raised more than €40 million for Pieta’s suicide and self-harm prevention services.

This year’s Darkness Into Light event will feature 177 official walks across 18 countries, with tens of thousands of participants expected to take part worldwide.

You can find more details on the free Phoenix Park shuttle service on the Dublin Bus website, with additional information about Darkness Into Light 2026 available on the official event website.