Waterford in County Waterford, Munster, Ireland — Irish South-West ((Éire) North Atlantic Ocean)
Chairman's Arch
Waterford Treasures
Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, May 16, 2026
1. Chairman's Arch Marker
The King’s Highway which leads to the house of the Friars Minor of Waterford.
Dean John Collyn, 1468
The laneway to your left leading from Chairman’s Arch was, during the Viking period, part of the main roadway running east-west through the centre of the town connecting Reginald’s Tower to the fortified town gate at the end of Peter Street.
In 1468 the lane was referred to as the king’s highway leading to the house of the Friars Minor — the ruins of this Franciscan Friary can still be visited today. In the 1460s Dean John Collyn of Christ Church Cathedral built an almshouse on the south side of the lane which was known as the Goddes Men House. It is remarkable that the rear wall of this ancient almshouse still forms the southern boundary of the lane.
Because Cathedral Square was occupied by a cemetery up to the 18th century the main entrance to the properties now fronting Cathedral Square was from this laneway. The lane and the houses on the southern side of it are marked on the 1673 map of Waterford while Chairman’s Arch at the top of the lane is clearly marked on the 1764 map of Waterford by Richards and Scalé.
(Panel two)
“All the streets except one are scarce broad enough for a coach to go through, therefore coaches are not much used in Waterford, but there are several hackney sedan chairs.”
Edward
this page online
It was in this passageway that sedan chairs were placed by chairmen, while their passengers were attending Divine Service in the nearby Christ Church Cathedral, hence the name Chairman’s Arch. The sedan chair was a portable armchair or covered vehicle which had side windows and a hinged door.
Entirely protected from the weather, it had a roof which could be opened to allow the occupant enter without having to bow down their heads in front of their servants. The roof could also be kept open to facilitate a lady wearing one of the very elaborate tall wigs that were so fashionable in the late 18th century.
The chair was narrow enough to be brought in and out of important houses and buildings so that the occupant need not soil their clothes or shoes while walking in the poorly-maintained streets.
Sedans were carried by two porters by means of removable poles passed through fittings on the side of the vehicle. The chair’s name comes from the town of Sedan in France, where it was first used. Sedans were fashionable from the mid-1650s but had almost completely disappeared by 1835.
(Captions)
A Belle going to the Rooms at Bath.
London. Published by Allen & Co., 15, Paternoster Row, Novr. 1, 1797.
Erected by Waterford
Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, May 16, 2026
2. Chairman's Arch Marker (Second panel)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Roads & Vehicles. A significant historical year for this entry is 1468.
Location. 52° 15.613′ N, 7° 6.477′ W. Marker is in Waterford, Munster, in County Waterford. It can be reached from Henrietta Street north of Cathedral Street, on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 12 Henrietta Street, Waterford, Munster, Ireland. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Ancient East. Globally, it is on the Atlantic Ocean, in the North Atlantic Region, in Europe, on the Island of Ireland, on the Celtic Fringe, in the European Union, in Atlantic Europe, on one of the British Isles, in the Western World, and in the Anglosphere.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Madness and Loss in WWI (a few steps from this marker); John Roberts (a few steps from this marker); John Condon Memorial (a few steps from this marker); God’s People’s House (within shouting distance of this marker); Raymond T. Chandler (within shouting distance of this marker); Lewis Chess Set
Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, May 16, 2026
3. Chairman's Arch Marker
The panels face each other inside Chairman's Arch.
Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, May 16, 2026
4. Chairman's Arch
Looking at the older archway, towards Cathedral Square.
Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, May 16, 2026
5. Chairman's Arch Marker
Looking back towards Henrietta Street.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 24, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 24, 2026, by Ian Lefkowitz of New York, New York. This page has been viewed 10 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on June 24, 2026, by Ian Lefkowitz of New York, New York. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
