Cork Independent - April 2026
A sculpture to mark the 40th anniversary of the Chornobyl nuclear disaster has been unveiled in Cork’s Marina Park. The statue is seated, and dressed in flowing robes. The three points on which the robes rest symbolise the children affected by the disaster in Ukraine, Belarus, and Russia. Adi Roche, Voluntary CEO of Chornobyl Children International (CCI) said the statue gives “form to memory and compassion. It ensures that the voices and experiences of those affected are neither forgotten nor overlooked,” she said. On 26 April 1986, an explosion at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant left the plant’s reactor core exposed. This resulted in the irradiation of over 100,000km2 of territory in Ukraine, Belarus, and Western Russia; 30 people were killed as a direct result of the accident and radiation sickness that followed. Significant health problems caused by the high-levels of radiation in the exclusion zone around the power plant are reported to this day. CCI was established in 1991 to assist children who had been affected by the disaster. The organisation has provided over €110 million in aid to the Chornobyl area since its foundation. It has also brought 26,500 children on rest and recuperation holidays to Ireland to escape exposure to deadly radiation. “We took a tragedy that occurred thousands of miles away and made its victims our own. We proved that while radiation lingers for centuries, and Chornobyl is forever, but the half-life of Irish kindness is infinite,” said Roche.
Krystina Nikityonik, a victim of the fallout of the disaster, shared her account with those assembled for the unveiling. Nikityonik was born with severe disabilities, and spent her early childhood in a mental institution. She described those years as “not living, but simply surviving”. She said that her disabilities left her “abandoned”. She said that things changed when CCI’s aid arrived, and brought her to Ireland, where she said she received life-saving surgeries which “gave her freedom for the first time”. “Today, I live a life full of love and independence. I am happy, and I am truly alive. I am living proof that kindness changes lives,” she said.
The sculpture, designed by Sandra Bell, depicts the “Chornobyl Mother” which represents “the mothers of Chornobyl children and their quest to protect and save their children.”
Echo Live - April 2026
Speakers at the unveiling of “Chornobyl Mother” reflect on the disaster’s lasting impact and Cork’s long tradition of international solidarity through its relationship with communities affected by Chornobyl.
A poignant new sculpture “Chornobyl Mother” was unveiled at the Marina Park today to mark the 40th anniversary of the Chornobyl nuclear disaster. The unveiling of the work by Irish sculptor Sandra Bell took place at the city’s newly-redeveloped Marina Park. The ceremony brought together civic leaders, survivors, families and long-standing volunteers who have supported the Chornobyl Children International (CCI) response to the nuclear accident. The charity has delivered €110m worth of aid to affected regions. Speakers reflected on the disaster’s lasting impact and Cork’s long tradition of international solidarity through its relationship with communities affected by Chornobyl.
The Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr Fergal Dennehy, said Cork City Council was delighted to facilitate the installation of the sculpture through their partnership with the Cork-based charity. “It’s positioning here, in the peace and tranquillity of the regenerated Atlantic Pond, stands as a powerful symbol of hope. As well as remembering the countless lives lost and touched by the 1986 nuclear disaster, we reflect, too, on the countless lives touched and transformed by Adi Roche and her charity, Chornobyl Children International, and its army of volunteers and supporters. Her vision has brought light into the darkest of circumstances, and Cork is immensely proud to stand with her and with all who continue this vital mission. We in Cork City Council are proud to play our part in recognising and supporting the extraordinary humanitarian work that she continues to lead from Cork.”
Serving as both a memorial and a symbol of resilience and future hope, “Chornobyl Mother” honours the innocent victims of the 1986 disaster and reflects the enduring suffering and strength of the women, families and communities affected across generations. The deeply evocative work invites reflection on memory, loss and compassion, but also giving the light of hope to carry on. Adi Roche, the voluntary CEO of CCI said that the sculpture gives form to memory and compassion. “It ensures that the voices and experiences of those affected are neither forgotten nor overlooked.”
Chernobyl Children International - April 2026
The “Chornobyl Mother” sculpture serves as both a memorial and a symbol of resilience and future hope.
Adi Roche, founder Chernobyl Children International, at the unveiling of the ‘Chornobyl Mother’ sculpture in Marina Park, Cork to mark the 40th Anniversary of the Chornobyl Nuclear Disaster. The poignant new sculpture by Irish sculptor Sandra Bell, was unveiled in Cork City on Monday by Lord Mayor Cllr Fergal Dennehy to mark the 40th anniversary of the Chornobyl nuclear disaster. The unveiling forms part of a commemorative partnership between Cork City Council and Chornobyl Children International and took place at the city’s newly redeveloped Marina Park. (Pic: Darragh Kane)
The unveiling ceremony brought together civic leaders, survivors, families and long-standing volunteers who have supported the humanitarian response to Chornobyl, which has seen €110 million worth of aid delivered to affected regions. Speakers reflected on the disaster’s lasting impact and Cork’s long tradition of international solidarity through its relationship with communities affected by Chornobyl. The Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr Fergal Dennehy, said Cork City Council was delighted to facilitate the installation of the sculpture through their partnership with the Cork based charity. “Cork City Council was delighted to provide this prominent public space for such a meaningful piece of work. Its positioning here, in the peace and tranquillity of the regenerated Atlantic Pond, stands as a powerful symbol of hope. “As well as remembering the countless lives lost and touched by the 1986 nuclear disaster, we reflect too on the countless lives touched and transformed by Adi Roche and her charity, Chornobyl Children International, and its army of volunteers and supporters. Her vision has brought light into the darkest of circumstances, and Cork is immensely proud to stand with her and with all who continue this vital mission. “We in Cork City Council are proud to play our part in recognising and supporting the extraordinary humanitarian work that she continues to lead from Cork.”
NEVER TO BE FORGOTTEN
Serving as both a memorial and a symbol of resilience and future hope, ‘Chornobyl Mother’ honours the innocent victims of the 1986 disaster and reflects the enduring suffering and strength of the women, families and communities affected across generations. The deeply evocative work invites reflection on memory, loss and compassion, but also giving the light of hope to carry on. Adi Roche, voluntary CEO of Chornobyl Children International, welcomed the collaboration as a deeply meaningful way to mark the anniversary.
“‘Chornobyl Mother’ gives form to memory and compassion. It ensures that the voices and experiences of those affected are neither forgotten nor overlooked,” she said. “This anniversary is not just a memorial for a disaster; it is a celebration of a miraculous Irish intervention. We took a tragedy that occurred thousands of miles away and made its victims our own. We proved that while radiation lingers for centuries, and Chornobyl is forever, but the half-life of Irish kindness is infinite.”
FURTHER COMMEMORATION
Installed in a prominent public space, the sculpture is expected to become a focal point for reflection and education, encouraging dialogue on nuclear history, environmental responsibility and humanitarian action. The unveiling forms part of a wider programme of commemorations led by Chernobyl Children International, including a media campaign, advocacy banners on Cork’s Connolly Hall and Dublin’s Liberty Hall, a Chornobyl Children’s Art Exhibition at Cork City Council, and a recognition ceremony at Áras an Uachtaráin on Friday, 24 April. An Post is also supporting the anniversary with a special two-week commemorative postmark.
Chornobyl Children International is the only NGO in the world who are recognised by the United Nations to support the victims and survivors of Chornobyl, and the annual ‘United Nations Chornobyl Remembrance Day’ was ratified in 2016 following Adi Roche’s landmark address to the UN General Assembly.
Irish Examiner - April 2026
“Chornobyl Mother” sculpture by Sandra Bell is unveiled
at the Atlantic Pond in Cork, marking the 40th anniversary of the 1986 disaster. Survivor Krystina Nikityonik shares her story, and Adi Roche reflects on Ireland’s humanitarian response, and Cork’s central role in supporting those affected.
Cork City Council - April 2026
Cork City Council was delighted to provide this prominent public space for such a meaningful piece of work. “Chornobyl Mother” is a powerful symbol of hope.
Cork City Council was proud to facilitate the unveiling yesterday of a powerful new sculpture, Chornobyl Mother, by Irish sculptor Sandra Bell, in Marina Park to mark the 40th anniversary of the Chornobyl nuclear disaster. Unveiled by Lord Mayor Cllr Fergal Dennehy as part of a partnership between Cork City Council and Chornobyl Children International, the work honours the victims, survivors and generations affected — while symbolising resilience and hope. “Cork City Council was delighted to provide this prominent public space for such a meaningful piece of work - a powerful symbol of hope. Cork is immensely proud to stand with Adi Roche and Chornobyl Children International, and with all who continue this vital mission,” the Lord Mayor said.The Chief Executive of Cork City council Valerie O'Sullivan said: "Marina Park is one of the city’s most significant new public amenities, and it is fitting that such an important work of remembrance and reflection should find its home in a place that is open, accessible, and shared by all."
RTE - April 2026
“Chornobyl Mother” sculpture has been unveiled at the Atlantic Pond in Cork city to mark the 40th anniversary of the Chornobyl nuclear disaster.
Chornobyl Mother, by Irish sculptor Sandra Bell, is a sculpture in remembrance of the child victims and survivors of the disaster. It represents the mothers of Chornobyl children and their quest to protect and save their children. The city has long been associated with assisting victims of the nuclear accident, with Adi Roche's Chernobyl Children International charity delivering more than €110 million worth of aid to communities there.
On 26 April 1986, an accident at the Chornobyl nuclear power plant resulted in the release of 90 times more radioactive material into the atmosphere than the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima in 1945. The results in neighbouring territories in Belarus, Ukraine and western Russia were devastating, with the World Health Organization estimating that the accident could lead to up to 4,000 eventual deaths from radiation exposure, and many thousands of others suffering serious long-term illnesses. Last year, the UN ratified the spelling of the region as the Ukrainian spelling 'Chornobyl' instead of the Soviet-era and Russian version 'Chernobyl'.
Ms Roche founded her Chernobyl Children International charity in 1991 to respond to the disaster and, since then, has delivered more than €110 million worth of aid to victims of the disaster across Eastern Europe. Speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland, Ms Roche said the unveiling of the sculpture is a symbol of "a very enduring and almost potent metaphor for catastrophe". She said it is a cautionary tale that we need to heed. Ms Roche said that when the disaster happened, "It sparked a four-decade long, if you could call it a love affair, of compassion, of resilience, and radical kindness". She said that the monument itself is something that will galvanise people, when they walk, sit, run, cycle past it, "that they will maybe reflect, remember, and commemorate and say, this country cared". Ms Roche explained that the sculpture represents the mothers of Chornobyl. "It is a feature of a woman and it's in their quest to protect and to save their children. It is a beautiful monument, I suppose, really to the people of Ireland because ... we actually spoke with a moral authority of a nation that refused to turn away. "So, while you have the dark side of remembering the disaster, we have the gorgeous side of also celebrating the power of Irish generosity and compassion."
Among the speakers at today's event were Krystina Nikityonik, who will give a personal account of what it was like to have been born with severe disabilities in the aftermath of the Chernobyl disaster and growing up in an asylum, before she was brought to Ireland by Chernobyl Children International. She has now returned to Belarus, where she works and lives. Today too, a medical aid mission sponsored by Chernobyl Children International got to work in St Nicholas' Hospital in Lviv. At the same time as history is being marked in Ireland, the work to repair the damage continues in Ukraine and in Eastern Europe. Paschal Sheehy
Irish Independent - April 2026
Cork unveiled a special sculpture “Chornobyl Mother” to commemorate the Chernobyl nuclear tragedy.
Cork unveiled a special sculpture to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear tragedy as campaigners warned that its stark lesson for humanity must never be forgotten.