Cork, from the Mardyke Walk

Artist(s): John Carr (Draughtsman)

View of Cork. The Mardyke walk is in the foreground, with a row of trees running parallel to road. On the left, a man is sitting under a tree, looking towards the city. On the right, several people are walking along the road. Fields are beyond the trees, with several cows at pasture. The city develops beyond the fields, in the distance.

Inscribed in Image

  • Signature – Drawn by J. Carr Esqr.
  • Caption outside of boundaries of image – Cork, from the Mardyke Walk. / Published June 4, 1806 by R. Phillips. No. 6, New Bridge Street, Blackfryars

Image Details

Genre Landscape
Technique Aquatints
Subject(s) Cities and towns
Geographical Location
  • Cork – County
  • Cork – Town or city
  • Mardyke Walk, Cork – Road
  • Munster – Province
Keyword(s) Buildings, Churches, Farming, Hats, Hills, Houses, Lands, Livestock, Men, People, Towers, Trees, Women
Colour Coloured
Dimensions 40.5 cm x 20.5 cm
Published / created 1806

Bibliographical Details

Travel Account The stranger in Ireland
Contributor(s)
Print or manuscript Print
Location of image in copy opp. p. 409
Source copy National Library of Ireland LO 2699 Dir. Off.
Permalink https://ttce.universityofgalway.ie/irelandillustrated/view/image/ii_image_1371726096
Rights Courtesy of the National Library of Ireland

Related text from travel account

As we approached Cork the view became very fine, the river Lee winding to the Cove, a country on each side well cultivated, and dotted with villas: the city, its superb barracks, the Mardyke Walk, extending a mile under the shade of elms, the New Gaol, which has a noble appearance, and the shipping, presented an uncommonly rich, varied, and picturesque prospect. Cork is the second city in Ireland, and if ships of above two hundred tons were not obliged to unload at Passage, five miles and a half from Cork, it would be one of the finest port towns in the world. In times of peace the flags of every nation may be seen waving in her harbour, called the Cove, now protected by a fort, built on the great island below, commanding the haven, which is perfectly safe, and capable of affording complete protection to the whole navy of England from every wind that blows. Ships from England, bound to all parts of the West Indies, put in here and in one year, in pacific times, no less than two thousand vessels have floated upon its bosom. // In the city are three convents; two of the order of the Presentation, devoted entirely to the instruction of poor female children, and one called the Ursuline, for the education of females in the higher ranks of life, but in which poor children are also sometimes instructed. The barracks are upon an immense scale, and very superb: they stand upon a rocky mountain, and command the city, and all the beautiful scenery of the surrounding country. The city stands upon several islands formed by the river Lee, which are handsomely banked and quayed in. Several streets have been gained from the river, and are built like the Adelphi, upon arches: the shops are well supplied, and many of them are elegant. The Mardyke Walk is very beautiful: from this spot I made a sketch of the city. It has many very handsome houses, and the society is refined and elegant. In the centre of the parade, which is very spacious, there is an equestrian statue of George the Second; it is of stone, and painted yellow, and has nothing belonging to it worthy of further notice. [pp. 408-409]
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