Grenville Arthur James Cole

“ Kinahan was eminent in geology as a field-worker rather than as a writer; but his books and his contributions to the 'Memoirs of the Geological Survey of Ireland' and to scientific periodicals in Ireland and England are mines of information. His style, especially in controversy, was often more vigorous than precise. His 'Manual of the Geology of Ireland' (1878) contains the results of much original observation. ”

“ Close's work proved beyond question that the main glacial features of Ireland must be ascribed to land-ice, though he regarded the glacial gravels with marine shells as formed by floating icebergs during a temporary submergence.
Close was president of the Royal Geological Society of Ireland in 1878 and 1879; and was treasurer of the Royal Irish Academy from 1878 until his resignation in 1903. He was for many years a member of the Council of the Royal Dublin Society. ”

“ At his death no one had so wide a knowledge of local facts of Irish geological structure, or of the history of mining and kindred enterprises in the country. Kinahan was interested also in Irish archaeology. ”