Grellan

Saint Grellan is an Irish saint of the 5th century, of the time of Saint Patrick, patron of the Kelly and Donnellan families of Uí Maine and of the parish of Ballinasloe in County Galway. His deeds are known from his later written life and from local tradition.

According to his life, King Duach Gallach of Connacht gave him a site to build his church at Achadh Fionnabhrach, after Grellan brought back to life by baptism the king's stillborn son, Eoghan Sriabh. The place has since been called Craobh Ghrealláin, "the branch of Grellan", after the branch that the king and Patrick gave him as a token of possession. Later Grellan went on through Connacht and settled at Cill Cluaine (Kilclooney, near Ballinasloe).

When the land was invaded by the people of Colla da Chrioch under Maine Mór, Grellan stood as guarantor of peace between them and the Firbolg. The legend says that when the Firbolg broke the peace, Grellan prayed and they were swallowed by the earth in the bog of Magh Liach, and the territory was given to Maine Mór and came to be called Uí Maine. The saint's crozier, the Bachall Grealláin, was afterward borne in the clan's standard in battle and survived until the early 19th century. Several places in Ballinasloe bear his name. He is honored as a saint of the undivided Church.