WATERFORD

CHURCH AND GRAVE

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THE CHURCH OF THE MOST SACRED HEART

AND A TALE OF 2 FOLLIES

PHOTOGRAPHS AUGUST 2025 THE STORY

While exploring the area near the modern Church of the Most Sacred Heart in Waterford, I was intrigued to discover two roads named "The Folly" and "Richardson's Folly." This was particularly surprising as I had just photographed the much older Church of the Most Holy Trinity in nearby Ballybricken. The juxtaposition of an ancient churchyard, with its 19th-century memorials, and a striking 20th-century building perfectly encapsulates the complex and evolving history of faith in Waterford.

A TALE OF TWO FOLLIES PLUS THE CHURCH OF THE MOST SACRED HEART

The Origin of "Folly" in Waterford's Street Names

The names "The Folly" and "Richardson's Folly" are rooted in a historical practice of building decorative, non-functional structures known as "follies." The use of "folly" in this context is a perfect example of how local lore can evolve into a permanent place name.

The Folly

The name "The Folly" most likely originated from a folly tower that once stood in the area. In architectural terms, a folly is a building—often a tower or a mock ruin—constructed for purely decorative purposes, with no practical use.

Historical Context: Local accounts and historical records suggest a tower once stood on a hill here. It may have been a pleasure building or, as some speculate, part of a semaphore system used to signal the arrival of ships.

A Lasting Legacy: Over time, the name of the decorative tower became the name for the entire district and the main road running through it. The tower is long gone, but its nickname remains as the official name of the area.

Richardson's Folly

This name has a more specific and colourful local history, tied to a prominent local figure. According to local folklore, "Richardson's Folly" was a road built by a wealthy individual who was perceived to have "more money than sense." The road was supposedly constructed at great expense but led nowhere in particular or simply didn't serve a practical purpose at the time, hence the name. The Richardson family was prominent in the area, and their house was situated on this road. The phrase "Richardson's Folly" became the common, tongue-in-cheek title that stuck.

In essence, both names reflect a time when the area was on the rural outskirts of the city. The landscape was marked by whimsical, aristocratic building projects often viewed by locals with a mixture of awe and gentle mockery.

NEAR FERRYBANK CHURCH

FERRYBANK GROTTO

PHOTOGRAPHS AUGUST 2025 ABOUT THE GROTTO

The Grotto's construction involved using large conglomerate stones sourced from local quarries in Ballinamona and Slieverue. A piece of rock from the Grotto in Lourdes was also incorporated into the structure. On Sunday, 20th May 1956, the Grotto was officially unveiled and blessed before a large gathering of people from Ferrybank and the surrounding areas. A time capsule containing newspapers and coins from the era was also built into the Grotto.

The Ferrybank Marian Grotto

Confusion often arises between the large Marian Grotto in Ferrybank and the Our Lady of the Wayside Grotto on Cork Road in Waterford City. During my recent visit, both were photographed, and a third site, a statue in Roanmore Park, was also discovered and photographed. This statue is a different type of monument and is a more recent addition, erected in July 1973. The Our Lady of the Wayside Grotto on Cork Road is a traditional grotto, but the one in Roanmore Park is a statue on a plinth.

THIS IS ACTUALLY IN COUNTY KILKENNY

FERRYBANK CHURCH

PHOTOGRAPHS AUGUST 2025 ABOUT THIS CHURCH

The Church of the Sacred Heart is a prominent building in Ferrybank, and its location can be a source of confusion for visitors. While Ferrybank is often closely associated with Waterford City, it is indeed located within County Kilkenny. The parish itself is part of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Ossory, which primarily serves County Kilkenny.

The Church of the Sacred Heart, Ferrybank

The church was designed by the notable architectural firm of Pugin & Ashlin. This partnership was a key force in the Gothic Revival movement in Ireland, and their influence is visible in the church's design, including the striking tower and spire that were added.

PHOTOGRAPHED JULY 2018

BALLYBRICKEN CHURCH

PHOTOGRAPHS JULY 2018 PHOTOGRAPHS AUGUST 2025 ABOUT THIS CHURCH

The Catholic Church of the Most Holy Trinity Without in Ballybricken, Waterford, and its adjoining graveyard, offer a fascinating glimpse into the social, religious, and architectural history of the city, making them a worthwhile stop for visitors interested in Irish heritage and local stories.

Old Church At Ballybricken

My first visit to Waterford was 25 May 2016 and I stayed at the Waterford Marina Hotel the next year I had a room at the Fitzwilton Hotel late in August and again in July 2018 I also stayed at the Fitzwilton. I cannot remember why I decided to visit in July because by then my main purpose was to photograph the new murals that were created in August as part of the Waterford Walls festival. However by 2018 my visits were longer and I covered much more ground giving me the opportunity to explore places such as the church at Ballybricken.

PHOTOGRAPHED AUGUST

ST JOHN'S

PHOTOGRAPHS AUGUST 2025 ABOUT THIS CHURCH

The current church is a relatively recent addition to a site with a long ecclesiastical history. The original Priory of St John's was founded by King John for the Benedictine Order in 1212. Over the centuries, due to events like the Reformation and the Cromwellian conquest, the church fell into disrepair and was eventually abandoned. During these difficult times, Catholics were often forced to attend secret masses outside the city walls.

The church's grounds include a Sacred Heart Grotto

The Church of St John remains a vibrant place of worship. It is notably used by the Fraternity of Saint Peter (F.S.S.P.) and is a centre for the Traditional Latin Mass in Ireland. The church offers a full schedule of services, including daily Low Masses and a Sung Mass on Sundays. It also hosts community groups such as a Legion of Mary and a men's meeting.

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