Kinnitty Irish:Cionn Eitigh | |
|---|---|
Village | |
.jpg) Kinnity's central village green | |
  Kinnitty Location in Ireland | |
| Coordinates:53°06′00″N7°43′00″W / 53.1°N 7.716667°W /53.1; -7.716667 | |
| Country | Ireland |
| Province | Leinster |
| County | Offaly |
| Population | 381 |
| Time zone | UTC+0 (WET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-1 (IST (WEST)) |
| Irish Grid Reference | N184053 |
Kinnitty (Irish:Cionn Eitigh)[2] is a village inCounty Offaly, Ireland. It is located 13 km east ofBirr on theR440 andR421 roads. The village is in acivil parish of the same name.[2]
The village derives its name from the myth that the head of an ancient princess is buried beneath the village,Ceann Eitigh being the "Head of Eiteach" in theIrish language - where Eiteach is the name of the princess.[citation needed] The village is situated at the foot of theSlieve Bloom Mountains in the ancient kingdom ofÉile.
Kinnity is also the name of theRoman Catholic parish. The present chapel was built around 1815.[3]
Kinnitty is served by a primary school, creche, two churches, post office, community centre, children's playground, two pubs, café, some shops, a number of bed and breakfasts and a hotel (the modern day use ofKinnitty Castle).[citation needed] The trail head for the Slieve Bloom Mountain biking trails is located in the village of Kinnitty, as is one of the trailheads for the long distance Slieve Bloom Way walking route.[citation needed] Kinnitty Forest or Glenregan Forest is operated byCoillte and is located near the village.[4]
There is an unusual pyramid-shaped tomb in the grounds of the St Finian's Church.[5] It was built by the Bernard family who resided inKinnitty Castle, on the site of St. Finnian's monastery. The 9th centuryKinnitty High Cross is located at the front of Kinnitty Castle (now a hotel).
