Lewis's Topographical Dictionary - Waterford City

A neat range of houses with two returns, facing the grand entrance of the cathedral church, and called the Widows' Apartments, was, according to the inscription on a marble tablet over the central house, founded by Bishop Hugh Gore, for the use of clergymen's widow and erected, in 1702, by Sir John Mason, Kut., surviving executor of his lordship. By his will, £120 was bequeathed for building an asylum and purchasing lands for the maintenance of ten poor clergymen widows, to each of whom he assigned £10 per annum. Connected with the meeting-house of the Society of Friends is a house of refuge for aged and reduced members of that body.