Durrus


Durrus is a village located in West Cork, six miles from Bantry, County Cork, Ireland. It is situated at the head of the Sheep's Head peninsula – a European Destination of Excellence – and the Mizen Head peninsula. A number of public gardens have been established in the area, including 'Kilvarock' and 'Cois Abhann'.
Durrus is on the Wild Atlantic Way driving route which spans the Irish coastline from the Inishowen peninsula in Donegal to Kinsale in County Cork.

Name

Durrus was formerly known as both Four Mile Water and Carrigboi. Today there is some dispute about proper form of the village's name in the Irish language – with both Dubh Ros and Dúrras.

History

The village is the location of Cool na Long castle, built by the McCarthy family. The castle is now in a ruined state, despite efforts to have it taken into state charge by the late antiquarian Paddy O'Keeffe. The present village was laid out by 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.

Selected archaeological sites

People