A TALE OF TWO FOLLIES PLUS THE CHURCH OF THE MOST SACRED HEART
A TALE OF TWO FOLLIES PLUS THE CHURCH OF THE MOST SACRED HEART [LOCAL HISTORY OF WATERFORD AUGUST 2025]
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.
I was due to take a guided walking tour of the Waterford Walls Murals and didn't have time to photograph the interior of the Sacred Heart Church, a notable example of modern ecclesiastical architecture. Built between 1970 and 1975 to serve the expanding population of the new Sacred Heart Parish, the church was designed by architect C. Harvey Jacob. Its unique octagonal plan and extensive use of poured concrete reflected a major shift in architectural trends that followed the Second Vatican Council. The innovative design was a deliberate move away from traditional forms and was praised at the time as a stimulus for using modern materials in church construction.
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.
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.
I was due to take a guided walking tour of the Waterford Walls Murals and didn't have time to photograph the interior of the Sacred Heart Church, a notable example of modern ecclesiastical architecture. Built between 1970 and 1975 to serve the expanding population of the new Sacred Heart Parish, the church was designed by architect C. Harvey Jacob. Its unique octagonal plan and extensive use of poured concrete reflected a major shift in architectural trends that followed the Second Vatican Council. The innovative design was a deliberate move away from traditional forms and was praised at the time as a stimulus for using modern materials in church construction.
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.