Roches Since 1878

Job ad from the Evening Herald on 16th October 1910, for a hairdresser or improver for the Ormond quay shop.

Kimmage early 70's, the man himself Joe Roche

Kevin Roche in the Kimmage shop in in the 1970's

Two Hairdressing Icons in the one family both inducted into the Irish Hairdressers Federation Hall of Leaders. Sister and Brother, Maura (Roche) Clarke 2005 and Brendan Roche 2008 pictured here in 2012 at the 70th anniversary of the opening of their Father's shop in Kimmage.

Vincent Roche in his Barber shop in 1955 on the Drimnagh Road upstairs over what was Mc Cann's, The Bentley and now the Black Forge pub. The shop is still open today continuing Vincent's legacy

North Strand Bombing 31st May 1941
This year marks the 80th anniversary of the North Strand bombing. On that night a total of 4 bombs were dropped on Dublin by the German Luftwaffe. The most devastating one being the one which hit the North Strand, killing 28 people, injuring hundreds and leaving 500 homeless. One of the buildings damaged beyond repair was Roche & Sons Barber shop located at No. 34 North Strand which had been in business there since 1887. Joe Roche ( in the attached photo in civies surveying the crater with the ARP ) was the owner of the business having taken over from his Father Thomas Roche in the 1920's. Joe reopened a barber shop at a new location, 153 Lower Kimmage Road in March 1942 using some of the equipment salvaged from the North Strand. The shop in Kimmage is still there today run by a grandson of Joe, Donal Roche.
www.rochesbarbers.ie

This Barber chair is the last of 3 that survived the bombing of the North Strand, The 3 chairs, an Ascot geyser, some marble shelves and 3 mirrors 5 ft long and 32 inches wide we're salvaged from Roche & Sons barbershop 34 North Strand Road (next door to Roddy's Post office) and were used to restart the business at 153 Lower Kimmage Road on 19th March 1942. Roche & Sons had been trading at 34 North Strand Road from 1887 until 31st May 1941. The chair is on display at Roches Barbers Station Road, Kildare Town.
www.rochesbarbers.ie

Joe Roche outside his shop in Kimmage 1950's with sons Fergus, Kevin & daughter Maura with a family friend.

Brendan Roche in Kimmage 1950's

On this day 125 years ago hundreds of people turned up for Fenian John Roche's public funeral to Glasnevin Cemetry

Drimnagh 1955
Vincent Roche, Joe's 2nd Son and 4th generation barber opened his shop on the Drimnagh Road in 1952. Photo taken in 1955 and second photo taken 2012 also in the second photo Claudia who now runs Roches Barbers in Drimnagh

Roches Barbers Roches Barbers Baldoyle