UCC 'honoured' by donation of Adi Roche and Chernobyl archives 

Archives track the work of Ms Roche and charity she set up in 1991 in the wake of the 1986 nuclear disaster

From left: UCC President John O'Halloran, Coral Black, UCC University Librarian, and Adi Roche, Chernobyl Children International, viewing radiation maps showing the spread of radioactive materials following the Chernobyl disaster. Picture: Daragh Mc Sweeney/Provision

The archives of Adi Roche and the Chernobyl Children International (CCI) have been donated to University College Cork, the college has announced.

The archives track the work of Ms Roche and the charity, which was set up in 1991 in the wake of the 1986 nuclear disaster.

Since that point, the charity has provided €108m in humanitarian aid to the children of Ukraine, Belarus and western Russia.

Among the archives are artefacts, photographs, film and correspondence — including ms Roche’s personal collection of records of her work with CCI and items from her time as an activist with Irish Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND).

Artefacts include radiation maps showing the spread of radioactive materials following the Chernobyl disaster, pamphlets from the Irish Anti-Nuclear and Peace movements, and the ‘Chernobyl Liquidator medal' — the second-highest honour of Belarus, awarded to Ms Roche in 1998, making her the first non-Belorussian to receive the medal.

UCC President John O'Halloran and Adi Roche examining Soviet medals and radiation maps showing the spread of radioactive materials following the Chernobyl disaster. Picture: Daragh Mc Sweeney/Provision

Ms Roche will speak at a special even in UCC on Tuesday afternoon about the collection. She said: "Our wish is that [the archive] acts not just as a source of information on how ‘mass movements’ and ordinary people can make a change in our society but also it will provide solid research material for future students.

The archive spans many decades from the height of the Cold War right to the present day.  It is important that we preserve this history, this legacy of social justice activism for safe-keeping and posterity."

She added: "It is an honour and privilege to have our humanitarian response preserved and protected forevermore by UCC. This archive will act as a true testimony to the victims and survivors of Chernobyl, ensuring that they will never be forgotten."

UCC President Professor John O'Halloran hailed Ms Roche as a "trailblazing humanitarian, a driving force for peace, hope and courage and a true inspiration to all".

He said: "Despite facing almost insurmountable obstacles, Adi has ensured that the people of Ireland have never forgotten the children of Chernobyl. In this time of terrible war, this archive calls on us all to renew our commitment to innocent victims, to stand up, give witness and protect current and future generations in the Chernobyl regions.”

Coral Black, UCC librarian, said: "The activism of the peace movement in Ireland were at the heart of the Irish response to Chernobyl. It is vital that we preserve the records of this citizen-led response to a disaster so that it can be an exemplar to others."