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.

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).

There are a number of Iron Age ringforts in the townlands of Ballycomane, Brahalish, Clonee, Drumtahaneen, Dunbeacon, Gortyalassa, Kealties, and Rushineska.

[6] The village is the location of Cool na Long castle, a fortified house built by the McCarthy (Muclagh) family in the 17th century.