Ahead of the 40th Anniversary of the Chornobyl* disaster, Irish stars turned out in force on Friday 17 April for ‘Liz and Noel’s Chornobyl Lunch’ at the Intercontinental Hotel, Dublin to raise vital funds for Adi Roche’s Chornobyl Children International charity (CCI). The fundraiser is hosted by Noel Kelly (Businessman, Talent Manager) and Liz O’Donnell (Former Minister of State), who have played a pivotal role in supporting the charity to reach its goals over the past two decades as members of CCI’s Board of Directors, which also includes Ali Hewson.
Some of the stars who offered their support to the charity on the day were broadcasters Ryan Tubridy and his new wife Claire. Dave Fanning will also be in attendance, alongside Dr Sumi Dunne, and Room to Improve’s Dermot Bannon. The fundraising Lunch, which is in its 16th year, served as a kick-off for the charity’s commemorations for the 40th Anniversary of the world’s worst nuclear disaster at Chornobyl, which will continue to impact the health of people in the region for countless generations to come.
Taoiseach Michael Martin, Bono, President Mary McAleese and Ryan Tubridy all shared special videos of support on the day. Guests also heard from a victim of the Chornobyl disaster, a young woman whose life was transformed by the charity. Krystina was born in the aftermath of the Chornobyl disaster, into a world marked by radiation, poverty, and silence. Born with disabilities as a result of that legacy, she spent her early childhood abandoned and hidden away in an institution near Chornobyl, where love and care were absent. Her life changed when Chornobyl Children International, led by Adi Roche, found her and brought her to Ireland. Here, Krystina received life saving surgeries and, for the first time, experienced family, dignity, and belonging with a family in Cork.
Today, Krystina who is now reunited with her biological family, lives a life of independence, joy, and purpose. Through her testimony, she bore witness to the enduring human cost of Chornobyl while standing as living proof that compassion, intervention, and love can transform even the darkest beginnings into a life fully lived. *New Ukrainian spelling ratified by the UN in December 2025 Uachtaráin Catherine Connolly hosts poignant commemoration ceremony to mark 40 years since Chornobyl ahead of ‘United Nations Chornobyl Remembrance Day’.
