he was born december 19, 1829, the son of daniel kinahan, m.a., barrister-at-law. he was educated at trinity college, dublin, gaining a diploma in engineering. his professional appointments began with railway companies, then joining the irish branch of the geological survey of the united kingdom, under sir roderick impey murchison. he was promoted to senior geologist in 1861, district surveyor in 1869, and retired after thirty-six years service in 1890. papers by kinihan were frequently published in "journal of the geological society of dublin" and the "irish naturalist", and he served on the council of the royal irish academy.