Durrus
| Durrus | |
| County Cork | |
|---|---|
.jpg) The Sheeps Head Bar, Durrus | |
| Location | |
| Grid reference: | V943420 |
| Location: | 51°37’12"N, 9°31’34"W |
| Data | |
| Population: | 305 (2016) |
| Local Government | |
Durrus is a village in the west of County Cork, six miles from Bantry at the head of Dunmanus Bay, at the point from where the Mizen Head and Sheep's Head peninsulas stretch out westward to the north and to the south respectively.
The Durrus River flows through the village and into the bay.
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. A number of public gardens have been established in the area, including 'Kilvarock' and 'Cois Abhann'.
Name
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).[1]
History
Prehistory
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 c.2200 BC-600 BC).[2] There are also standing stones (gallauns) at Ballycomane, Kealties, and Parkana. The Coolcoulaghta Standing Stones stand in a field about two miles south-west of Durrus.
A number of Iron Age ringforts are found hereabouts, in the townlands of Ballycomane, Brahalish, Clonee, Drumtahaneen, Dunbeacon, Gortyalassa, Kealties, and Rushineska.[3]
Built heritage
The village is the location of Cool na Long castle, a fortified house built by the McCarthy (Muclagh) family in the 17th century.[4]
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 Church of Ireland church here, St James, was built in 1792, with a number of later 18th century additions.[5] The local Roman Catholic church, Sacred Heart, was built in 1900.[6]
Sport and community
- Football: Durrus FC
- Gaelic sports: Muintir Bháire GAA
The Durrus Festival involves sports, family and entertainment events, and typically takes place during July.[7]
Outside links
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("Wikimedia Commons" has material about Durrus) |
References
- ↑ @"About Durrus - History". http://www.durrus.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=220&Itemid=5.
- ↑ Megalithic Portal: Dunbeacon
- ↑ "Recorded Monuments Protected under Section 12 of the National Monuments Act - County Cork - Volume 2". National Monuments and Historic Properties Service. 1998. https://www.archaeology.ie/sites/default/files/media/pdf/Archaeology-RMP-Cork-Manual-2-(1998)-0008.pdf.
- ↑ "Fortified house - Gearhameen (CO130-010)". Archaeological Inventory of County Cork. Volume 1: West Cork. Dublin: Government Stationery Office. 1992. "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"
- ↑ "St. James' Church, Durrus, County Cork". National Inventory of Architectural Heritage. https://www.buildingsofireland.ie/buildings-search/building/20913008/st-james-church-carrigboy-durrus-county-cork.
- ↑ "Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church, Durrus, County Cork". National Inventory of Architectural Heritage. https://www.buildingsofireland.ie/buildings-search/building/20913009/sacred-heart-roman-catholic-church-carrig-durrus-county-cork.
- ↑ "Durrus". https://explorewestcork.ie/villages/durrus/.
Books
- 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