“Longtime manager retires as beloved family-run store in Galway closes its doors”

The streets of Galway were filled with a somber mood as a beloved shop closed its doors for the final time. The news of the closure came as a shock to many in the community who had come to rely on the shop, not just for its products, but for the warm welcome and friendly conversation that greeted them every time they stepped through the door. The owner, described by many as a “true gent”, made the difficult decision to shut down after years of running the cherished business. This closure marks the end of an era for Galway and its residents, who are left to reflect on the memories and moments shared within the walls of this beloved shop.


The doors of Roche’s of Church Street Gort, a family-run store in Co Galway, have been closed for the last time by long-serving manager Coley Roche, who is retiring. The Roche family has owned the store for decades, and Coley has run it for many years. Gort Inse Guaire, a popular website, paid tribute to Coley’s career, describing him as “a true gentleman” who “served his customers to the best of his ability”. The website recorded the moment that Coley closed the store for the last time, leaving with a smile on his face and a thumbs up for the camera.


As we bid farewell to another beloved establishment in Galway, it is impossible not to feel a sense of loss and nostalgia. The closure of this shop has left a void in the hearts of many, but it is important to remember the warmth and joy it brought to our community over the years. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the ‘true gent’ who ran the establishment for all these years, for everything he brought to our lives, and for the memories he created. May his legacy live on and may we all continue to cherish the spirit of this wonderful shop.