Date of Birth: 15th July 1961

Place of Birth: 2 South Main Street, Wexford

Date Interviewed: 23rd November 2009

Summary: John Roche’s parents owned a greengrocers shop on Wexford’s Main Street. He was born over the shop. John describes the building and recalls a “hidden room” being discovered during renovations. Their house served as a fire exit for the Theatre Royal and they received free tickets for the film shows in the theatre. This was a time when families lived over their shops and John recalls the names and businesses of the street. Shops would close if a funeral passed by and never opened on Sundays. He saw the Shamrock Bar in Anne Street being destroyed by fire. John’s passion for music led him to join the group Sonas and appearing on national television. He now runs his own music business in Wexford.