Durrus

Durrus was known in mid-19th century as both Four Mile Water (after the nearby river) and Carrigboi (from Carraig Bhuí, the Irish for Yellow Rock). There are a number of variations and derivations given in the Irish language for the village's name, including Dubh Ros (black or dark headland) and Dúras (as used on local road signs).{{cite web|url = http://www.durrus.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=220&Itemid=5 | website = durrus.org | title = About Durrus - History | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140202111555/http://www.durrus.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=220&Itemid=5 | archive-date = 2 February 2014}}

{{main|History of Durrus and District}}

File:Bridge in durrus.JPG

{{See also|List of archaeological sites in County Cork#Durrus Archaeology}}

Evidence of prehistoric settlement in the area include a stone row at Moulinward and a stone circle at Dunbeacon (both dated to the Bronze Age {{circa|2200 BC}} – 600 BC).{{cite web|url = http://www.megalithic.co.uk/article.php?sid=886 | publisher = The Megalithic Portal | website = megalithic.co.uk | title = Dunbeacon - Stone Circle in Ireland (Southern) in Co. Cork | access-date = 13 November 2020 }}{{cite web|url = http://www.megalithomania.com/show/site/1139/dunbeacon_stone_circle.htm | publisher = Megalithomania | website = megalithomania.com | title = Dunbeacon : Stone Circle | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200421121130/http://www.megalithomania.com/show/site/1139/dunbeacon_stone_circle.htm | archive-date = 21 April 2020 }} There are also standing stones (gallauns) at Ballycomane, Kealties, and Parkana. The Coolcoulaghta Standing Stones stand in a field approximately {{convert|3|km|mi|0|spell=in}} southwest of Durrus.

There are a number of Iron Age ringforts in the townlands of Ballycomane, Brahalish, Clonee, Drumtahaneen, Dunbeacon, Gortyalassa, Kealties, and Rushineska.{{cite web | url = https://www.archaeology.ie/sites/default/files/media/pdf/Archaeology-RMP-Cork-Manual-2-(1998)-0008.pdf | publisher = National Monuments and Historic Properties Service | website = archaeology.ie | title = Recorded Monuments Protected under Section 12 of the National Monuments Act - County Cork - Volume 2 | date = 1998 | access-date = 13 November 2020 }}

File:Four Mile Water, County of Cork, 1835 (IA jstor-30003881) (page 1 crop).jpg 1835]]

The village is the location of Cool na Long castle, a fortified house built by the McCarthy (Muclagh) family in the 17th century.{{cite book| chapter = Fortified house - Gearhameen (CO130-010) | quote = Two-storey house with attic, on ground sloping gently up from N shore of Dunmanus B [..] built by MacCarthy Muclaghs, minor sub-sept of MacCarthy Riabhach (O'Donoghue 1986, 58) probably in early decades 17th century | title = Archaeological Inventory of County Cork. Volume 1: West Cork | place = Dublin | publisher = Government Stationery Office | date = 1992}}

The present layout of the village is based on works undertaken by the owners of the Bandon estate when the lease of Rev. Evanson's interest expired in 1854. Around this time a manor court for debt recovery was held once a month, with petty sessions once a fortnight. The former courthouse is still standing.

The Protestant church was built in 1792, with a number of later 18th-century additions.{{cite web|url = https://www.buildingsofireland.ie/buildings-search/building/20913008/st-james-church-carrigboy-durrus-county-cork | publisher = National Inventory of Architectural Heritage | website = buildingsofireland.ie | title = St. James' Church, Durrus, County Cork | access-date = 13 November 2020 }} The local Roman Catholic church was built in 1900.{{cite web|url = https://www.buildingsofireland.ie/buildings-search/building/20913009/sacred-heart-roman-catholic-church-carrig-durrus-county-cork | publisher = National Inventory of Architectural Heritage | website = buildingsofireland.ie | title = Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church, Durrus, County Cork | access-date = 13 November 2020 }}

{{See also|Lists of townlands of County Cork|List of archaeological sites in County Cork#Durrus Townlands}}

The civil parish of Durrus has an area of approximately {{convert|45|km2|sqmi|frac=2|abbr=on}} and contains 28 townlands.{{cite web|url = https://www.townlands.ie/cork/durrus/ | website = townlands.ie | title = Civil Parish of Durrus, Co. Cork | access-date = 13 November 2020 }}

The Durrus River flows through the village and into Dunmanus Bay. The bay, and village lie at the head of the Sheep's Head and Mizen Head peninsulas.{{cite web|url = http://www.durrus.org | website = durrus.org | title = About Durrus - Geography | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140201195039/http://www.durrus.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=217&Itemid=4 | archive-date = 1 February 2014 }}

Local sports clubs include Muintir Bháire GAA, a Gaelic Athletic Association club which competes in the Carbery division.{{cite web | url = http://www.carberygaa.ie/clubResults/8589/m_u_i_n_t_i_r_b_h_a_i_r_e | publisher = Carbery Divisional Board | website = carberygaa.ie | title = Club Results - Muintir Bháire | access-date = 13 November 2020 }} Durrus FC fields teams in the West Cork Soccer League.{{cite web|url = https://westcorkpeople.ie/health-lifestyle/sport-fitness/durrus-celebrates-league-glory/ | website = westcorkpeople.ie | title = Durrus Celebrates League Glory | date = 4 March 2019 | access-date = 13 November 2020 }}

The Durrus Festival involves sports, family and entertainment events, and typically takes place during July.{{cite web|url = https://explorewestcork.ie/villages/durrus/ | website = explorewestcork.ie | title = Durrus | access-date = 13 November 2020 }}

• Laura Geraldine Lennox (1883–1958), born in Durrus, suffragette in London, and a volunteer in Paris during the World War I.
• Sean Hurley (1887–1961), Sinologist born in Durrus.{{cite web|url = https://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/an-irishman-s-diary-1.482487 | publisher = Irish Times | title = An Irishman's Diary | first = Hugh | last = Oram | date = 20 August 2005 }}
• J. G. Farrell (1935–1979), English novelist who is buried in the cemetery of St. James's Church of Ireland, Durrus{{cite web|url = https://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/an-irishman-s-diary-1.215539 | publisher = Irish Times | title = An Irishman's Diary | first = Kevin | last = Myers | date = 11 August 1999 }}
• Seán Levis (born 1981), Gaelic footballer who played with the Cork senior football team

• Lewis Cork, introduced by Tim Cadogan, The Collins Press (Original 1837), 1998 {{ISBN|1-898256-57-8}}.
• The Cole Family of West Carbery (ref: Coles Blaires Cove), Rev. Richard Lee Cole, M.A. B.D. Published privately Belfast 1943 and on Cole family genealogy site internet.
• Francis Humphries: History Of St. James Church and Parish, Forum Publications 1992 {{ISBN|0-9510018-5-X}}
• BHAS Journal vol 2 p. 106–119, townlands Donal Fitzgerald ISSN 0791-6612
• ''Archaeological Inventory of County Cork, Vol 1 West Cork, Office of Public Works, 1992 {{ISBN|0-7076-0175-4}}
• Níl aon leabhairín mar do Mheabhar-chinn fhéin. Eilís Uí Bhriain (Native of Durrus), A Collection of Old Irish Truisms and seasonal seanfhocail, {{ISBN|0-9554835-0-6}},

{{Reflist}}

{{Commons category|Durrus}}

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20140116141958/http://www.durrus.org/ Welcome to Durrus] (archived)
• [http://www.durruscheese.com Durrus Farmhouse Cheese]
• [http://www.gardenandgreen.co.uk/kilravock-garden-ireland/4551740516 Kilravock Gardens]
• [http://www.carraigabhainngardens.com/ Carraig Abhainn Gardens]

{{County Cork}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:Towns and villages in County Cork

Category:Civil parishes of County Cork