The audio-archive is a joint initiative between Maynooth University and Kairos Communications. It includes extensive interviews with Sister Majella McCarron (OLA), speaking of her childhood in County Fermanagh, her decision to join a religious order, working in Nigeria and meeting Ken Saro-Wiwa leader of the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP). Saro-Wiwa was leading a peaceful protest highlighting the effects of the activities of the petrochemical industry in the Niger Delta. In May 1994, Ken Saro Wiwa and 14 others were arrested and placed in military detention. In August 1994 it became too dangerous for Sister Majella to remain in Nigeria. She returned to Ireland to campaign to save the lives of the Ogoni Nine. Despite Sister Majella’s efforts in Nigeria and Ireland and an outcry from the international community, Ken Saro-Wiwa and eight colleagues were executed by the Nigerian military government on the 10th of November 1995.

    The audio archive contains three recordings of Dr Owens Wiwa, brother of Ken. These recordings cover growing up in an extended family in Ogoni, his deeping awareness of the impact of the petrochemical industry on his homeland, the establishment of the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) by his brother Ken, his efforts to save his brother’s life and efforts to retrieve his remains for a symbolic burial. Dr Owens Wiwa also reads two poems written by his brother.

    In addition to extensive coverage of Sister Majella’s life and her friendship with Ken Saro-Wiwa, the archive includes coverage of her work in Ireland as a table observer of the Garvaghy Road conflict in Northern Ireland and the Shell to Sea campaign. It also includes speakers on social movements, African literature and the importance archival collections.
    It is hoped that the archive will be a valuable resource for research and learning. 

    DISCLAIMER

    Maynooth University is not responsible for the opinions or views expressed in these interviews. The views and opinions are those of the interviewees.

    COPYRIGHT NOTICE

    The rights of the Copyright owners of this work have been asserted by them in accordance with the Copyright and Related Rights Act 2000 (as Amended).All images associated with these recordings are copyright of Maynooth University except where expressly otherwise stated on the individual recording.The sound recordings are the copyright of Maynooth University.To request permission to broadcast or reproduce the recordings in any format please e-mail [email protected]

    All rights reserved. Without limiting the rights under Copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise) without the prior written permission of the Copyright owner. Any person who does any unauthorised act in relation to this publication may be liable to criminal prosecution and civil claims for damages.

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