Lewis's Topographical Dictionary - Waterford City
12. The Eighteenth Century
At the close of this century the city is represented as being in a wretched condition; the houses in ruin, the streets filthy and uneven, and the roads extremely bad; but, under the management of successive mayors, it was greatly improved both in comfort and appearance early in the following century. In 1732, a tumultuous assembly attempted to prevent the exportation, of corn; another riotous meeting, occa-sioned by the scarcity of provisions, took place in 1744, when the military were called to suppress the riot, and some lives were lost. In the rebellion of 1798 the citizens took no part; meetings of United Irishmen were held here, but the peace of the city was preserved by the victory gained over the insurgents at Ross.
