Writes Leo McMahon
A bronze plaque in tribute to its founders, the late Stanley and Heide Roche, was unveiled by their daughter Ondine Roche at the wall of Guardwell Homes, Cork Street, Kinsale before a large attendance on Friday, October 28th.
‘This is a very special day for Guardwell Homes,’ said committee chairperson Tom O’Leary in words of welcome. ‘ Heide conceived and initiated the idea of sheltered homes in Kinsale. She put together a voluntary group of which I was privileged to be one and the result is what you see before you. We have 24 people in residence and many have passed through the complex over the past 30 years.’
He further stated that she was also involved and supported by Stanley in the building of a two room extension at Kinsale Community Hospital and its Day Care Centre where the day room was named after Stanley.
‘Heide was involved in the setting up of Saile – Kinsale Sports and Community Centre and as a founder member told me, there would never have been Saile had it been for Heide Roche,’ said Tom.
‘For 30 years, Heide ran a senior citizens club, five afternoons a week, nine months of the year supported by Mrs Joan Tisdall whose family are here. Heide and Stanley also supported projects as far away as the Children’s Trust in Thailand, Care of the Mentally Handicapped in Africa and SOS Bahini in Nepal supporting vulnerable young girls in education.’
Tom O’Leary then quoted from an email received from Brian Cronin (formerly of The Blue Haven Hotel, Kinsale) in Spain, who was unable to attend: ‘Heide and Stanley are two of those very special people that one rarely encounters during one’s lifetime.
‘I got to know Heide in the 1970’s when she set up a special day care centre for the old folks in the Temperance Hall. Not only did she hire out the hall at her own expense, she also provided central heating for the chilly hall and all sorts of goodies which she herself prepared each morning as well as musical entertainment. She also engaged a staff member to help provide the food and keep the premises clean and tidy. She would also lay on a Christmas party for her oldies and not only provide a lovely dinner with all the trimmings, but also gifts for each of her guests which she wrapped individually at home’, said Brian, a former member of Guardwell Homes committee, who along with his wife Anne went on to host the old folks Christmas dinner for Heide after she sold her restaurant, The Bistro.
Tom O’Leary pointed out that the unveiling came about as a result of townspeople coming to us and saying ‘you must do something to pay tribute to Stanley and Heide Roche and he concluded by paying tribute to fellow committee members, resident caretaker Ger Quinlan and Claire Barr, the latter of whom 35 years ago, began as a voluntary secretary and became full time administrator to the committee often working way beyond the call of duty.
Founding committee member Michael Frawley then presented Claire with a floral bouquet. Ondine Roche then unveiled the plaque on the wall of the first phase of Guardwell Homes (1992).
The attendance included other Guardwell Homes committee members Tony Greenway and Janet Frawley, (John Twomey and Dr Pat Downey (unable to attend) and also Caroline O’Sullivan, Cllr Alan Coleman, former Cllrs Tomas O’Brien, Charles Henderson, Dermot Ryan and Kevin Murphy as well as Dan Cummins, Kathryn Etty, Joy Coleman, Colette O’Leary, Fr Robert Young PP, Timmy O’Donovan, Phil Price, Mary Tisdall and Jonie Whelton; Eileen Hogan, Frank O’Flynn, Frank and Mary O’Keeffe; Paddy Kiely, John Stanley, Billy and Saran Crosbie, Therese Henderson, Rose Frawley, Tony and Colette Boland; Philip and Joss Horgan; Michael Buckley, Michael Riese, Cora and Alan Roche; Mary Boland, Anne Fitzsimons, Eileen Murphy, Niamh O’Connell, Nelius Buckley, JJ Hurley, Elsie Gash, Dermot Duggan, Don Meaney, Mary O’Neill, Noreen Desmond, Catherine Walsh, Daphne Atkinson, Virgil Horgan, Gerry O’Dwyer, Ben Searls, Margaret Ryan, Anne and Eamon Murphy; Bryan Cronin and Melissa Johannson representing past and present residents, staff and friends of the Roches and Guardwell Homes and other causes generously supported by Stanley and Heide (late of Newborough House, Ballinaclashet) over many decades, all of which saved state exchequers millions.
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