The Irish Times

Architects from Renzo Piano's Paris office and the Canadian firm Diamond and Schmitt will be talking at the John Roberts Waterford Festival at the end of this month, giving architects a valuable opportunity to gain insight into how their internationl brethren work. While the six-year-old festival began as a forum for architects, planners and environmental conservationists, it has now become more of a family affair that includes children's activities, garden tours, a photographic exhibition and choral concerts. Yet it retains its architectural focus with talks and walks concerning the work of John Roberts (1714-1796), who designed many buildings in Waterford. Little is known about his life, except that he married Mary Susannah Sautelle, who came from a wealthy Huguenot family. She was disinherited as a result but Roberts went on to be successful; his first major project was the Bishop's Palace in 1746.