The name Cannakill was in Irish called Ceann na Coille which means Head of the Woods. Cannakill was an important place in the 16th century because that was where the Village was situated. There are still ruins of the medieval village in Cannakill. In the medieval village unburnt animal bones and pottery were found in the 1940's.
In 1577 Thomas Moore was given the land that was previously owned by the O' Connors. In 1715 his grandson Tomas was made a peer and given the title Baron of Tullamore.
Cannakill was a centre for schools in the past. A new schoolwas built in 1930. That school is the present Community Centre.
In the 1800's the Earl of Charleville owned most of the land in Cannakill. Some other people who lived there were Smith M. Berry, John Geoghan, Patrick Smith, James Moran, William Mahon, Michael Donohoe and Honoria Donohoe. Cannakill is on the West facing slope of the hill. 
The population in 2001 was 58 and in 2004 is 66.

Finnrenshark well

By;Thomas Mooney and Johnny Brickland