Nanny (river)

Nanny (An Ainí)
River
Duleek Bridge crosses the Nanny
Name origin: Old Irish Ainge; possibly named after the Corcu Ainge
Country	Republic of Ireland
Counties	County Meath
Source
- location	Johnstown village, near Kentstown, Leinster, Ireland
- elevation	55 m (180 ft)
Mouth	Irish Sea
- location	Laytown

The Nanny, also called the Nanny Water, is a river that flows from Kentstown into the Irish Sea at Laytown. The river is known for its trout fishing, and its estuary on the Irish sea provides a haven for wintering birds.

Some authorities say source of the Nanny is believed to be 3 kilometres (2 mi) south of Navan, The extensive tableland between the Boyne and the Nanny vallies form the watershed. The source lies as above Navan, near Brannantowns, from which it flows to Kentstown. It crosses under the N2 near Balrath, and continues more or less parallel to the L1670. It has one tributary, the River Hurley, which joins it at Boolies Little. From there the Nanny flows east-north-east, gaining in water at the moors between Annesbrook and Duleek. From there it flows east, breaking into two streams between Gaffney and Beaumont, where it unites again, running adjacent briefly to the R150, and then flows east, crossing under the M1, traveling through Dardistown Cross, past Rockbellew, and runs parallel to the Duleek Road near Julianstown. After Julianstown, the river widens appreciably, to the estuary south of Laytown.

From Julianstown, the side of the Nanny is marked by gray, thick-bedded crystalline limestone, freely exposed, and dipping northwards at 15 degrees. Limestone cliffs are also exposed along the river at Rock Bellew, although these are blueish gray in color. The river bends near Dardistown bridge, again at St. Columbkille's Well, and a quarter of a mile north of the well, exposing evenly bedded limestone similar to those exposed at Rock Bellew. There are also mounds of gravel near the Nanny source, a ridge of gravel about two miles long, compounded with limestone pebbles and stratified sandy layers.

According to legend, Saint Patrick had cursed several of the rivers in Meath, including the Nanny, for their deficit of fish. The river abounds with wild trout, however, and is stocked with brown trout, which accounts for more than half of the annual catch. The peak time for trout is March to May, and there is a fly fishing only stretch near Bellewstown. Sea trout also make their way up from the estuary.