Courtmacsherry

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Coordinates: 51°38′N, 8°43′W Courtmacsherry (Irish: Cúirt Mhic Seafraidh -- MacSharry's Court) is a picturesque sea-side village in County Cork, Province of Munster, Ireland, on the southwest coast. It is about 30 miles southwest of Cork, and 10 minutes drive east from the town of Clonakilty. The village consists of a single long street on the south shore of Courtmacsherry Bay, with thick woods on rising ground behind. The woods (planted by the Earl of Shannon in the late 18th century) continue beyond the village eastwards to the open sea, ending abruptly at Wood Point. Between the village and "The Point" the trees run right to the water's edge and there are several natural bathing coves along the way.

1 History
2 Economy
3 Courtmacsherry today
4 Lifeboat
5 Transport & communications
6 See also
7 References
8 External links

[edit] History

Around the time of the Norman invasion of Ireland the major townships in the area were those now known as Timoleague, Lislee, Barryroe and Dunworly. Among the Norman settlers were the De Barrys and the Hodnetts; the former built a castle at Timoleague, and the latter settled in Lislee. The Barrys flourished and gave their name to Barryroe, Rathbarry, etc., whereas the Hodnetts “degenerated into mere Irish”, one branch changing their name to MacSeafraidh (son of Geoffrey), subsequently anglicised to MacSherry or McSharry. Although Barrys and Hodnetts still live in the district, there are no McSherrys.

One, Patrick MacSeafraidh from Co. Antrim, a descendent of a Courtmacsherry Hodnett, emigrated to America in 1745 and founded McSherrystown in Adams County, Pennsylvania. ^[1]

[edit] Economy

The village's main industry consists of commercial and sport fishing. A moderately sized tourist industry thrives during the summer months. There are several fine beaches nearby, namely Dunworley Strand, Moloney Strand, Broadstrand and Blind Strand. The village has a hotel and a caravan park, catering mainly for visitors from Cork. There is also a small sailing school at the end of the village, known as the Courtmacsherry Water Sports Centrelink title. This fine establishment is owned and run by Kim Wood. Two construction projects, the largest in several decades, were recently added at each end of the village. About half of this well-designed new housing is owner-occupied, the remainder being rented to visitors.

[edit] Courtmacsherry today

Entertainment can be found in the several bars and pubs in and around the village. Among these the Lifeboat Inn is the most conspicuous. Others include the Anchor Bar owned by the Flemings, which has live music every saturday night and the Pier House owned by John and Breda Young. Activities such as sailing (Coolmain sailing) and horse-riding (at the hotel) are available throughout the summer months. There is also a festival at the end of July - beginning of August with lots of activities and competitions for children and entertainment and events for adults.

[edit] Lifeboat

For over seventy years Courtmacsherry has harboured a lifeboat station (formerly based at nearby Barry's Point) and its volunteer crews have performed many rescues. The most famous was in May 1915 when the lifeboat of the day (the Ketzia Gwilt) rescued survivors of the RMS Lusitania sinking. Several famous lifeboatmen were involved on that fateful day. They were Tim Keohane (father of Antarctic explorer Patsy Keohane), John Murphy, and his son Jerry. The current Courtmacsherry lifeboat is the Frederick Storey Coburn. ^[2]

[edit] Transport & communications

Nearest airport Cork International Airport
Courtmacsherry railway station on the Timoleague & Courtmacsherry Extension Light Railway opened on 23 April 1891, closed for passenger traffic on 24 February 1947 and for goods traffic on 10 March 1947, finally closing altogether on 1 April 1961.^[3] The line had three locomotives, Slaney, St. Molaga and Argadeen.