Some 1,500 people will attend a special service in Maynooth this afternoon where the victims and families of those affected by suicide will be remembered.
The event will feature performances by musicians Frances and Mary Black, Acabala, Roisin O'Reilly and Eleanor Shanley.
The service is being organised by Console, a charity which provides assistance to those bereaved through suicide within the community.
Speaking to The Irish Times this morning, chairman of Console Paul Kelly, said the event was being organised "to highlight the fact that over 500 people each year die through suicide in Ireland."
Referring to government funding of suicide prevention as "abysmal", Mr Kelly said more people die through suicide "than die on the country's roads each year".
While a total of €105 million will be invested in road safety measures in 2007-2012, funding for suicide prevention is only €4m-€5m each year.
Console had its funding cut by 12.5 per cent this year, and Mr Kelly said he expects a further cut next year.
A report published ealier this year found four times more men take their own life here than in the UK, with men aged less than 35 accounting for 40 per cent of all suicides.
A 24-hour suicide prevention helpline was recently launched to help reduce the number of people taking their own lives.
The “1Life” helpline (1800-24-7-100) staffed by counsellors and volunteers, offers confidential advice and support for people in need of help.
