Waterford County Museum, Dungarvan, Co. Waterford, Ireland. Charity Reg: 17397
Tel: +353 (0)58 45960  Email: [email protected]
Articles    Photos
Table Of Contents
Waterford City Topography
13.

Lewis's Topographical Dictionary - Waterford City

13. Waterford City Topography

The CITY of WATERFORD is beautifully situated on the southern bank of the Suir, about 16 miles from its influx into the sea. It extends principally along the margin of the river, having an elevation very little above high water mark, except at the western extremity, where it occupies some high and precipitous eminences, and at the eastern extremity, where are some more gentle ele-vations.  On the south, bordering on the stream called John's river, which here falls into the Suir, is a large tract of level marshy land stretching towards Tramore. Near the western extremity of the city, and connecting it with the small suburb 6f Ferrybank in the county of Kilkenny, is a bridge of wood, 832 feet in length and 40 in breadth, supported on stone abutments and 40 sets of piers of oak. This bridge was undertaken by a company incorporated in 1793, who subscribed £30,000 in shares of £100 each; and was erected by Mr. Cox, a native of Boston, at an expense so much below the esti-mated cost that £90 only were paid on each share of £100, which now sells for £170: it was began April 30th; 1793, and opened January 18th, 1794. The com-pany have a sinking fund for the repair or rebuilding of the bridge if necessary, and the tolls are let for about £4000 per annum. Over John's river, which skirts the city on the east and south-east, are two ancient bridges, called respectively John's bridge and William-street bridge.; and also one of modern erection, called Cathe-rine's bridge, from the ancient abbey of St. Catherine, near which it is situated. Upon the opposite side of the Suir are some lofty hills, from which the city is seen to great advantage, having in front the river, and the splendid quay extending from the bridge to the mouth of John's river, one mile in length, with scarcely any interruption, and forming a remarkably fine pro-menade.

The quay was enlarged in 1705, by throwing down the city walls on this side, with one of the gates, which, with the great ditch, formerly divided it into two portions. The houses lining the quay, though irregular in their style of architecture, form a range of buildings of lofty and imposing appearance, among which the tower erected by Reginald the Dane, and now occupied as a police barrack, is a conspicuous object. In front of the buildings are a broad flagged foot way and a macadamised carriage road; the part along the margin of the river is separated from these, and forms the pro-menade.. At the east end of the city is the Mall, from which a spacious street has been opened, forming the principal western entrance on the Cork road. The streets, with the exception of King-street, in a line parallel with the quay from the west end to the centre of the city, and of the line from its termination to John's bridge, are generally short, narrow, and irregular in their direction: the number of houses, in 1841, was 3150. The English mails have been changed from Dunmore to Waterford, causing a great saving of time; the first passed up on June 24th, 1837.

The city is lighted with gas by a company of 400 shareholders, who ex-pended £14,000 in the construction of works; but from some defect in the old act of parliament under the pro-visions of which the public lighting of the city was vested in the corporation, it cannot be lighted more than seven months in the year: the amount of the rates collected for this purpose is about £640 per annum. On the south-western side of the city are barracks for artillery, capable of accommodating 129 officers and men, and 78 horses, with an hospital for 12 men; and also barracks for infantry, which will accommodate 551 officers and men, and 9 horses, with an hospital for 30 men.

Join Our Mailing List

Join our mailing list and get all the latest news for free via email. Simply enter your email address in the box below and press the 'Join' button.
Email:

Make A Donation

Waterford County Museum is a non profit voluntary museum. We would be grateful for any financial donation large or small.

Make payments with PayPal - it's fast, free and secure!

Social Media

Follow us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter Follow us on Blogger Follow us on Youtube
© Waterford County Museum 2014. All rights reserved. Please read our Terms of Use
Website By: Déise Design