River Irk

The River Irk is a river in Greater Manchester in north-west England that flows through the northern suburbs of Manchester before merging with the River Irwell in the city centre.

Related Topics:
River - Greater Manchester - England - Manchester - River Irwell

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Rising to the east of Royton north of Oldham and running west past Chadderton (where it passes under the Rochdale Canal) and Middleton, its course has been extensively altered as the Industrial Revolution took its toll on the city's landscape, and the Irk has been labelled 'the lost river of Manchester'.

Related Topics:
Royton - Oldham - Chadderton - Rochdale Canal - Middleton - Industrial Revolution

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The river's name comes from 'Iwrck' meaning 'swift', but by the start of the 20th century the Irk Valley between Crumpsall and Blackley had been left a neglected river, "not only the blackest but the most sluggish of all rivers". Recently a project has been set up to rejuvenate the river and remove the pollution.

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The river has long since been culverted as it reaches the city centre, and the final yards before the point where it merges with the Irwell under the CIS tower are still marked by the alleyway named 'Hanging Ditch' near Manchester Cathedral where textile manufacturers would hang their wares to dry. The remains of 'Hanging Bridge' that crossed the ditch in medieval times can still be seen alongside the cathedral.

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On August 15 1953 the front coach of a Manchester to Bury train fell from the viaduct over the River Irk after colliding with a local steam train. Ten people were killed and 58 injured in what became known as the 'Irk Valley Junction disaster'.

Related Topics:
August 15 - 1953 - Bury

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