Derry’s ‘Dine in the Dark’ set for 8 October

Derry’s Guildhall will host ‘Dine in the Dark’ at 7pm on Thursday, 8 October, inviting businesses and individuals to experience a three-course meal while blindfolded. Tickets cost £50 per person or £500 for a table of ten, with places available through the Mayor’s Charity page on the Derry City and Strabane District Council website.

The charity dinner marks World Sight Day 2026 and will raise money for HIVE Cancer Support. Guests will also be able to make direct donations to RNIB during the evening.

Dinner will be served while guests wear blindfolds

The central part of the evening is a three-course dinner served while guests wear blindfolds. Organisers describe it as a safe, supported awareness activity intended to offer insight into everyday experiences associated with sight loss.

Entertainment will follow the meal, allowing guests to continue the evening inside the Guildhall after the blindfolded dinner service has ended. No performer or detailed entertainment programme has been announced in the supplied event information.

The event is being organised by the Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Councillor Grace Uí Niallais. She said the experience is designed to challenge perceptions, build empathy and encourage discussion about the barriers encountered by blind and partially sighted people.

World Sight Day places the focus on sight loss

The dinner is scheduled for World Sight Day, connecting its fundraising purpose with a broader awareness message. RNIB estimates that 4,355 people in the Derry City and Strabane District Council area live with sight loss. Its estimate for Northern Ireland is 62,386 people whose sight loss affects daily life.

Robert Shilliday, RNIB’s Country Director for Northern Ireland, said carrying out an everyday activity without sight gives participants an opportunity to step outside their usual experience. He added that conversations generated by events of this kind can help people understand the changes needed to remove barriers for blind and partially sighted people.

RNIB also estimates that half of all sight loss is avoidable. Its World Sight Day message includes encouraging regular eye tests and considering how communities can improve life for people affected by sight loss.

Businesses can book a full table for staff

Although individual tickets are available, local businesses are being encouraged to purchase tables and invite employees. The council presents the dinner as a shared learning experience that can support staff awareness of sight impairment, workplace inclusion and team development.

A table for ten costs £500, matching the individual ticket rate of £50 per guest. The arrangement gives employers the option of attending as one group without a separate group surcharge being listed.

Maureen Collins, Project Manager at HIVE Cancer Support, said the dinner would raise awareness of RNIB’s work while providing financial support for HIVE. The organisation is the Mayor of Derry City and Strabane’s chosen charity for the year.

Limited places make early booking the practical next step

All proceeds from ticket sales will go to HIVE Cancer Support. Donations to RNIB are separate and can be made directly during the event.

The supplied announcement does not provide transport instructions or specific accessibility arrangements. Anyone who needs those details should seek them from the organiser before booking. Places are limited, and the council advises businesses and individual guests to reserve tickets early through its Mayor’s Charity page.

Source: Derry City and Strabane Council News