Tens of thousands of people have taken part in Darkness into Light events before dawn this morning, across the country and across the world.
Most took the form of walks, which are aimed at raising funds for the suicide and self-harm prevention charity Pieta.
Darkness into light events got under way just after 4am and one of the biggest was held in the Phoenix Park in Dublin, where around 10,000 people walked the 5 kilometre route before sunrise.
Fifty-one new walks were held in Ireland this year, out of a total of 180.
Pieta Chief Executive, Stephanie Manahan, has said that Darkness into Light events bring people together and gives people an opportunity to talk about mental health.
Speaking in the Phoenix Park, she said "there is nothing in Ireland these days that brings people together... in the middle of the night and to gather in such numbers and in such solidarity and such community with one another, as Darkness into Light".
Ms Manahan said the event raises awareness of mental health and helps to reduce the stigma of suicide and self harm.
She said that all the funds raise go into frontline services and that over 87% of the charity's funding comes from events like Darkness into Light.
The walkers are here at the finish line! #DarknessIntoLight pic.twitter.com/9bzWvq3zWW
— Joan O'Sullivan (@JoanStories) May 11, 2024
Darkness into Light events were also held in 14 other countries, with organisers saying that around 100,000 people were taking part in more than 230 official walks across four continents.
Pieta says that last year it received 100,000 calls and texts to its crisis helpline, provided nearly 52,000 hours of therapy and saw close to 7,000 clients across the country.
The charity says all funds raised at today's events will go into frontline services.
