1785 – Port of Waterford Company, Waterford

In 1785 John Roberts was invited to design the residence of William Morris. William Morris’ ancestors had been Cromwellian adventurers, but he never lived to see this grand house completed. His sons sold it to the Chamber of Commerce in 1813. Too large for their needs alone, in 1816 the ground floor of the building was leased to the Harbour Commissioners. After 188 years in 2004, the Waterford Harbour Commissioners, now known as the Port of Waterford Company vacated the building.

Original features include a fantastic cantilevered spiral staircase on an oval plan with glazed dome overhead, stone flooring, original fireplaces, timber sash windows and magnificent plasterwork. The exterior was originally of brick but the façade was rendered circa 1885. The front cast-iron paneled railings and limestone piers also date from this period.