Founders of Cork retirement and sheltered housing facility honoured

Guardwell Homes in Kinsale commemorated the legacy of its founders, Heide and Stanley Roche, by unveiling a commemorative plaque last week.

The event took place on Friday at the homes and was aimed at commemorating the Roche family, who were heavily invested in local community services in Kinsale for more than three decades.

The bronze plaque, which is situated at the entrance of the homes was unveiled by Mr and Mrs Roche’s daughter, Ondine Roche.

One beneficiary of their generosity is Guardwell Homes, Kinsale’s only charity led retirement and sheltered housing facility, offering 28 homes of varying sizes for primarily elderly people in Kinsale town centre. 

Benefitted

Other local projects that benefited from the Roche’s philanthropic endeavours include two fully equipped ground floor hospital rooms and a day care centre on the grounds of Kinsale Hospital.

Attendees at the event consisted of family members, locals, former and present residents of the homes, and members of the Guardwell Homes Committee.

Speaking to The Echo, Dr Tom O’Leary, founding committee member at Guardwell Homes, said: “Heide and Stanley did wonderful work for various organisations and people in Kinsale for more than 35 years. 

Some time ago people in the town approached the committee saying that something should be done to honour Heide and Stanley, for all the good they did, besides the buildings themselves.

Commissioned

“So we commissioned this bronze plaque which was unveiled by their daughter, who is a member of our committee.

“They did an awful lot too to help people quietly, both financially and in other ways, so these were two wonderful people.

“We’re delighted to do it at last, it’s time to recognise them.”

The Guardwell Homes facility was built in two phases over several years, with phase one commencing in November of 1993, seeing the first 12 units released.

Phase two of the facility opened in September of 2000, adding another 16 units to the complex.

Prior to Guardwell Homes, the last voluntary housing scheme in Kinsale was made available through Sir Robert Southwell’s gift houses, located at the Mall, in 1682.