Pieta House has said around 80,000 people registered for its Darkness into Light events in Ireland and around the world this weekend.
The fundraiser for the suicide and self-harm prevention charity sees people gather before sunrise to walk into the dawn.
The first event to take place was at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia, with the last taking place in Canada, but most of the 170 events were across Ireland.
The biggest every year is in the Phoenix Park in Dublin where around 10,000 people took part in the 5k walk.
The fundraiser, which also includes sailing and kayaking events, is expected to raise beween €3m and €4m for Pieta House.
Many were participating in memory of loved ones who died by suicide.
Nuala Bass from the Liberties in Dublin was there to remember her brother Anthony Carrick.
"Just to have this time, because during the year, it's so busy, and yes, you think of them every day," Ms Bass said.
"But to do something like this, to just reflect on all of the memories that you have, and then to help to make awareness for others, then as well to say that there is hope, and it's not the answer."
Anthony O'Riordan was one of a group of Iarnród Eireann workers there to show their support for everyone affected by suicide.
"I struggled with my mental health a number of years ago, so (I’ve) a lot of empathy for people who have lost family members through suicide, it does mean a lot to me personally."
Many find comfort through walking with others.
Carol Moreton from Rathcoole has been coming for years.
"It's just a lovely, lovely atmosphere with all the people. We're all here for the same thing and same reason that people have passed."
Watch: Around 80,000 take part in Darkness Into Light events
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Alison Else's brother Aaron died by suicide.
"It's bittersweet.
"You know, it's the sadness, but you're looking at other people, and they give you momentum to go on.
"But when you come to the end, at the finish, you're waiting for someone to be there for you.
"But when that's not happening, it's very sad."
The walks are also very important to Pieta House as it is the charity's main annual fundraising event.
Stephanie Manahan is the CEO of Pieta House.
"75% of the funds that we need in Pieta are all based on our fundraised income.
"So it's really, really important that people donate, that people register, and even if people forget to donate or to register, they can still donate at any time for Pieta, and to make sure that our services are free and sustainable and available when people need them in crisis," Ms Manahan said.
Sligo was another venue for a walk.
Anne Tully, the chair of the organising committee, has her own reasons for volunteering.
"Darkness Into Light for me is very special, in the fact I lost my brother to suicide, and I can remember him in a special way and specially tonight, the walk means so much."
While most of the events are walks there have also been tractor rallies, kayaking and sailing events and swims and horse rides where people rose before dawn to show their support for Darkness Into Light.
Darkness Into Light began in 2009 with a walk in the Phoenix Park attended by around 400 people.
Since the event began, over €40m has been raised to support services assisting people impacted by suicide and self-harm.
THE SUN HAS RISEN OVER BALLINAMERE! 🌅
— Ballinamere GAA (@BallinamereGAA) May 9, 2026
What a beautiful Darkness Into Light at Ballinamere GAA👏 We had a fantastic turn out at 4am this morning where we walked together until the sun came up 🌅
A big thank you to all who came out in support & donated for Pieta House 🙌 pic.twitter.com/OsICfLrj3W
A big thanks to volunteers who provided medical cover for the Darkness Into Light walks in Portlaoise and Durrow in aid of @PietaHouse @CivilDefenceIRL pic.twitter.com/SNFkV6tLas
— Laois Civil Defence (@LaoisCivilDefen) May 9, 2026
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