Saint Grellan

The Holy Grellan ( in Irish: Ghrealláin ) is an Irish saint and patron saint of, among others, the Kelly clan and the parish of Ballinasloe in County Galway in Ireland.

Early life

According to the hagiography The life of Saint Grellan Grellan lived in the 5th century, the time of Saint Patrick of Ireland. Grellan assigned by Duach Gallach, king of Connacht, a place to build a church at Achadh Fionnabhrach. Duach Gallach let Grellan build the church, having this still-born by baptism Duach Gallachs son, Eoghan Sriabh, come to life.

Achadh Fionnabhrach since then Craobh Ghrealláin means (Irish for " the branch of Grellan " ), named after the branch, the king Duach and Patrick of Ireland presented the Grellan, as a sign of ownership. The king also ordered that every wife of a chief of seven garments should be given as a tribute to the young cleric.

Then Grellan was off to the northern third of Connacht and continued to travel to the country. But may he settled well and founded a church at Cill Cluaine (or Kilclooney, near present-day Ballinasloe ) in Magh Seincheineoil, an area that was occupied by the Firbolg and dominated by Cian.

Interference in the Battle of the Fir Bolg against the Colla da Chrioch

The area was invaded Chrioch from the Gaelic tribe Colla because of the Kingdom of Oriel. These were led by the semi-legendary figure Maine Mór, the (also Amhalgaidh ) was accompanied by his father Eochaidh Ferdaghiall and his two sons Breasal and Amlaff. His troops descended on the area and plundered the area. As a mediator Grellan negotiated a peace between the parties. In order to underpin the peace, Cian organized by the Firbolg a feast, was invited to the Amlaff, but was taken hostage.

Amlaff was now hostage by which the Firbolgs were able to exercise power over the Gaels. During his captivity managed Amlaff, a Firbolg leaders to anger by a romantic relationship with his wife. Amlaff was killed, and died with him the power of Firbolgs over the Gaels. Since the Gaels expected a ceasefire, Cian decided to surprise her with a surprise attack.

From his church door from Grellan saw upgrade the Firbolgs. Since he was the guarantor of peace for both parties, it brought about the development in a precarious situation. The legend says that he prayed to God, and this then the Firbolgs during the battle with the Gaels in the bottom of Magh Liach left devour the ground.

Grellan then pointed to the area of Maine Mór and his men. The area was known as the Kingdom of Hy -Many or Uí Maine. The nation was then called Uí Maine. The Uí Maine paid tribute to Grellan, who became the patron saint of the clans and families who descended from Maine Mór, including Ó Ceallaigh ( Kelly), Ó Madadhan ( Madden ), Ó Neachtain ( Naughton ), Ó Domhnalláin ( Donnellan ), Ó Mullally ( Lally ) and Ó Fallamhain ( Fallon ).

St. Grellans crozier

St. Grellans crozier or Bachall Grealláin was the Uí Maine passed together with the territory and was taken from there in their standard on the battlefield. This crosier still existed until the early 19th century.

When his memorial day whichever is November 10.