Buildings to light up green in Kilkenny tomorrow for a very special cause

Kilkenny buildings are to be lit up again this year as Samaritans mark the longest night of the year to remind everyone that its helpline is open during the darkest hours.

Civic buildings will be lit up, and also joining are the Left Bank, Biddy Earlys, The Village Inn, The Watergate Theatre, Kilkenny Castle, St Canice’s Cathedral, the Creamery House Castlecomer, St Luke’s Hospital and Market Cross Shopping Centre.

Volunteers in Kilkenny will be among 100 listening volunteers on duty across Ireland on Christmas Day, providing vital emotional support to people struggling to cope.

Volunteers answered more than 33,000 calls to Samaritans 24-hour freephone number (116 123) last December, including almost 1,000 calls on Christmas Day alone.

The mental health charity is asking landmarks and public buildings across the country to light up in green to mark the longest night on Thursday, December 21, to show people Samaritans are here for them during the long dark nights.

“Bereavement, loneliness, relationship and family problems, addictions, abuse and mental health issues can all feature heavily in people’s lives throughout the festive break,” said Anne Lennon, Volunteer branch director at Kilkenny Samaritans.

“It is really important that people know that whatever they are going through, whenever they are going through it, Samaritans are here to listen day and night.  We urge anyone in need of support to reach out and call freephone 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.ie.”