World Suicide Prevention Day was marked across the country with a series of candlelight vigils attended by people bereaved by suicide.
Vigils began at 8pm in Dublin, Donegal and Galway.
The events, which were organised by the Turning the Tide of Suicide charity, were open to the public and hundreds were expected to attend.
A minute's silence was held to remember those who have died by suicide in Ireland.
Recent figures indicate close to 600 people a year now lose their lives to suicide.
Joe McAvin of the 3Ts said the vigils have grown in response to the growing problem of suicide - and the identification many now make with the loss people are suffering.
He said the vigils illustrate that suicide is an issue that concerns everyone from the Government to the HSE, the private and public sectors and local communities.
The charity is a member of the Action on Suicide Alliance which will make a number of recommendations later this month to Taoiseach Bertie Ahern relating to suicide prevention measures.
