History This village was formerly the summer home of the Earl of Shannon who planted many exotic trees, shrubs and woods around the village. The village of Courtmacsherry grew in Victorian times, as a haven for holidaymakers from the city of Cork and as a result several new houses were built. In 1891 the railway arrived and was an important link to the outside world until its closure in 1961. The sheltered harbour, often giving a cosy sense of calm and security while storms wreck havoc outside.  In the early 18th century, the Coast Guard chased would-be smugglers along the coast from their sheltered haven in Courtmacsherry Bay. Their elegant cottages still dominate the slope overlooking the harbour. For over seventy years Courtmacsherry has harboured a lifeboat station (formerly based at nearby Barry's Point). Down the years 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 lifeboat men 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 named "Frederick Storey Coburn."

Business Courtmacsherry village is of a linear pattern. The main industry consists of commercial and sport fishing. There is a fine pier and pontoon for boat's and yachts. A medium sized tourist industry thrives during the summer months. 

Tourism The tranquillity of the adjacent seaside, the beautiful surrounding woodlands, the wild and rugged Seven Heads Peninsula, combine to make Courtmacsherry a popular tourist spot. The upper harbour, under the famed and historical walls of Timoleague Abbey, is a bird watchers paradise. Here the heron, wild ducks and cormorant feed in a sheltered environmentally friendly paradise. There are several fine beaches nearby, namely Moloney Strand, Broadstrand and Blind Strand. The village has a hotel and a caravan park, catering mainly for visitors from the city of Cork. Two construction projects, the largest in several decades, were recently added at both ends of the village. About half of this well-designed new housing is owner-occupied, the rest being rented to visitors.

Infrastructure The nearest service centres are Timoleague and Clonakilty. 

Courtmacsherry is located in West Cork proper, far away enough from Cork City not to be a dormitory area.