The Sunday Times

John Roberts, architect and builder of classical Waterford, literally died on the job. He was into his eighties when he designed his last great work, the Catholic Cathedral of the Most Holy Trinity. Accustomed to getting up at 6am to supervise work, one morning early in 1796 he rose by mistake at 3am. He found the unfinished building deserted, fell asleep and caught a chill from which he died a few months later. Next weekend, Roberts enthusiasts and lovers of Georgian architecture will gather in Waterford to celebrate the life and work of Honest John, as he was known. The programme for the inaugural weekend includes events in his most famous structures - the chamber of commerce and, uniquely, both of the city's cathedrals.