[4][5] The Dinan rises in the southeast corner of County Laois, flowing westwards under the N78 at Ormond Bridge.

It meets the Clogh River near the border with County Kilkenny and continues southwest under Massford Bridge.

It flows through Castlecomer and continues southwest through the Kilkenny countryside, passing Jenkinstown Park[6] and flowing under the N77 and meeting the River Nore at Dunmore West, upstream of Kilkenny City.

[8] It is also home to many white trout, as recorded by Tim Pat Coogan in his memoir.

[9] According to local folklore, Saint Patrick cursed the reeds on the bank of the Dinan so that their tops were withered.