On 3 October 1657, if there had been a daily newspaper, there could have been a headline: "French troops occupy Mardyke". However, the citizens of Cork would not have been alarmed because it was not our beloved & later fabled Mardyke Walk in Cork and French troops did not march 
"Down the Mardyke through each elm tree". In fact the Mardyke Walk in Cork was not even built for another 62 years afterwards. The Mardyke occupied by the French was the coastal town & harbour in Flanders, (near Dunkirk) then part of the Spanish Netherlands. Following capture,
as per an agreement with France, it was handed over to English rule.
The original Mardyke in Cork was constructed in 1719 by Edward Webber, the city clerk, who owned what were then marshy islands west of the walled city. He drained & landscaped the area, building a dyke topped by
The original Mardyke in Cork was constructed in 1719 by Edward Webber, the city clerk, who owned what were then marshy islands west of the walled city. He drained & landscaped the area, building a dyke topped by
a straight promenade leading to a redbrick teahouse in Dutch style. The area became fashionable & the promenade was dubbed the Red House Walk or Meer (sea) Dyke Walk after the Meer Dyke in Amsterdam.
So, now you know where the Mardyke got its name.
@Corks96FM @corkcitycouncil
So, now you know where the Mardyke got its name.
@Corks96FM @corkcitycouncil
