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The River Irk flows along two sides of Blackley Forest. It rises in the hills of
Royton, North of Oldham, and flows to the city centre where it joins the Irwell at the foot of the CIS tower.
The name of the river is derived from Iwrcke which means swift. There have been healthy fish in the Irk within living
memory. It has a big history. The Irke was mentioned in a document telling of King Henry III’s grant to Thomas Grelle in
1249 of the exclusive right of fishing in its waters. The document states,
“There are the waters of the Irke upon Manchester and Blakel (Blackley), the banks of which both sides are the
Lord’s soile, on which it is unlawful to fish without the Lord’s license as it is his warren. The value thereof is twelve
pence”.
The valley of the Irk has a long history in textile development. In medieval times cloth making was a cottage industry
and the pieces of cloth were naturally bleached on the banks of the Irk using sunlight, rain, sour milk and the daily
collection of urine from Blackley Village. This was called Bowkering and Bowker Bank was a prime site.
Did you know?? Queen Victoria's wedding dress was made in Blackley!
Click here to go back to 'About the Forest'.
The name of the river is derived from Iwrcke which means swift. There have been healthy fish in the Irk within living
memory. It has a big history. The Irke was mentioned in a document telling of King Henry III’s grant to Thomas Grelle in
1249 of the exclusive right of fishing in its waters. The document states,
“There are the waters of the Irke upon Manchester and Blakel (Blackley), the banks of which both sides are the
Lord’s soile, on which it is unlawful to fish without the Lord’s license as it is his warren. The value thereof is twelve
pence”.
The valley of the Irk has a long history in textile development. In medieval times cloth making was a cottage industry
and the pieces of cloth were naturally bleached on the banks of the Irk using sunlight, rain, sour milk and the daily
collection of urine from Blackley Village. This was called Bowkering and Bowker Bank was a prime site.
Did you know?? Queen Victoria's wedding dress was made in Blackley!
Click here to go back to 'About the Forest'.